Republic 


Y    JAMES    LEDDY 


THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 


BY 

JAMES   LEDDY 


THE 


Sbbcy  Stress 

PUBLISHERS 

1  1  4 
FIFTH  AVENUE 

Condon  NEW  YORK  montrcal 


Copyright,  1902, 

by 

THE 

Bbbcy  press 


I 


CONTENTS. 

Chapter.  Page. 

I.     The  Strike. 7 

II.     A  Public  Meeting 11 

III.     The  Conspiracy 18 

IV.     The  Angel  of  Death 23 

V.     The  Social  Opinion 26 

VI.     A  Generous  Heart 30 

VII.     Whipple's  History 34 

VIII.     A  Nation's  Bereavement 39 

IX.      The  Uprising  and  Relief 45 

X.     An  Angel  of  Mercy 54 

XL     A  Royal  Welcome 59 

XII.     The  Reward  of  Honor 63 

XIII.     Hero  Meets  Hero ^(j 

XIV.     A  Hero's  Promotion  and  Recep- 
tion   , T2 

XV.     A  ]^ew  Face  Appears 78 

XVI.     Tragedy  and  Death 86 

XVII.     The  Search,   Discovery  and  De- 
nouement    96 

Conclusion 105 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2010  with  funding  from 
Duke  University  Libraries 


http://www.archive.org/details/newrepublicOOIedd 


A  God-like  being,  without  hoe,  or  compass,  or  choice, 

or  will, 
Is  launched  on  a  sea  of  worldly  ills,  into  a  realm  of 
mystery. 
No  Power  to  guide  him  in  his  path. 
No  Hand  to  succor  in  Distress, 
"  A  pendulum  swinging  between  two  worlds." 

Manhood  reached,  he  stood  erect,  sun-crowned. 
Surveying  nature  and  her  wondrous  works. 
The  blue  Ethereal,  sun,  moon  and  stars. 
And  fruitful,  all-producing  earth. 
Filling  him  with  amazement  and  delight. 
He  dreamed  of  power  and  wealth  and  all  that  follow  in 

their  wake, 
And  the  touch  of  Immortality  in  a  world  beyond  filled 
his  thirsty  soul. 

He  entered  the  arena  with  hope  his  only  friend, 
In  contact  with  a  jostling  multitude  of  human  flesh. 
Moving  and  swaying  like  waves  on  an  angry  sea, 
In  factory,  shop  and  mine; 
The  slaves  of  labor  and  the  greed  of  man. 

He  saw  the  struggling  mass,  and  heard 

The  piteous  cries  of  wives  and  children  asking  bread ; 

The  picture  of  despair  and  misery  on  every  face,  and 

lamentations  filling  the  air. 
And  hope  and  love  had  fled  from  hearts  of  men. 


With  aching  heart  he  mused  and  thought,  and  asked : 
"  What  evil  hath  produced  this  change  in  men  ?  " 
When,  as  if  by  magic,  the  answer  came,  in  hideous 
form : 
"  Oppression  and  Wrong,  Monopoly  and  Trust,  and  all 
the  demons  following  in  their  train. 
With  violated  oaths  of  money-kings. 
Which  sap  the  life-blood  from  the  sons  of  men. 
And  rob  them  of  their  chief  support." 

His  early  dream  had  vanished. 
Dejected  he  stood,  while  gloom  sat  upon  his  brow. 
The  spirit  of  Hope  had  fled,  and  without  hoe  or  guide. 
He,    trembling,    distorted    and    shattered,    looked    back 
from  whence  he  came. 

Retreat  was  vain,  and  peering  into  the  beyond, 
He  saw  in  Death  his  only  friend. 
His  only  hope  in  worlds  to  come, 
WTiere  sin  and  greed  are  never  known,  and 
"  Man's  ingratitude  to  man  "  is  never  heard, 
And  all  are  swallowed  in  one  vast  sea  of  Eternity. 

Oh,  men!  with  hearts  of  steel, 
Is  there  no  power  your  flinty  hearts  to  melt  ? 
Has  Conscience  fled  and  is  Right  dethroned? 
Will   you   not   hearken    to    the   pitying   cry   of   slaves 
oppressed,  and  wailing  poor? 
Answer.     Or  leave  the  question  with  a  righteous  God. 


CHAPTEK  I. 

THE    STRIKE. 

"  Well,  Jennie,  the  game  is  up,  the  strike  is 
on  and  the  trust  has  got  us  in  its  grip."  Thus 
spoke  William  Armstrong  excitedly  as  he  en- 
tered the  door  of  his  little  cottage  in  his  shirt 
sleeves  on  meeting  his  wife. 

He  was  a  man  six  feet  in  height,  well  knit, 
the  picture  of  health  and  physical  strength.  He 
was  of  Scotch-Irish  parentage,  came  of  revolu- 
tionary stock  and  had  himself  served  in  an 
Ohio  regiment  during  the  civil  war  with  an  en- 
viable record.  He  was  a  patriot  and  loved  his 
country  and  her  institutions ;  was  a  man  of 
more  than  average  ability  and  well  read  in  the 
leading  events  of  his  time.  Misfortune  had 
brought  him  and  his  family  to  Pittsburg,  where 
he  had  bought  a  little  cottage  on  the  outskirts 
of  the  city,  on  the  installment  plan.  His  family 
consisted  of  his  wife  and  three  children.  He 
had  obtained  employment  in  the  steel  works  at 
wages  barely  sufficient  to  meet  his  necessities  of 
living. 

His  "wife,  to  whom  the  above  words  were  ad- 

7 


8  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

dressed,  was  a  gentle  amiable  character,  an  an- 
gel of  goodness,  a  loving  wife  and  mother,  with 
an  implicit  trust  in  God. 

"  Sit  dowm,  William,  and  tell  me  what  has 
happened.     Are  all  the  men  out  ?  " 

''  Yes,"  he  said,  "  our  officers  have  ordered  us 
to  quit  imtil  the  steel  company  comes  to  our 
terms,  but  I'm  thinking  we  have  got  a  big  job 
on  our  hands,  as  we  have  not  got  Carnegie  to 
fight,  but  a  powerful  trust  with  millions  at  its 
back,  which  will  never  surrender.'^ 

"  Well,  William,  all  will  come  out  right  yet. 
God  will  not  let  us  suffer.  Let  us  trust  in  Him. 
Mr.  Carnegie  is  a  good  man.  Just  see  what 
thousands  of  dollars  he  is  giving  away  to  estab- 
lish libraries  all  over  the  country." 

"  Yes,  Jennie,  but  with  whose  money  ?  Every 
word  printed  in  the  books  of  his  libraries  repre- 
sents the  sweat  and  blood  of  the  toiling  work- 
men, and  every  page  the  starvation,  misery  and 
despair  of  themselves  and  families,  l^o,  Jen- 
nie, I  couldn't  read  one  of  his  books  with  any 
pleasure.  The  haggard  forms  of  the  men  who 
built  the  libraries  would  haunt  me.  If  these 
libraries  are  established  they  will  be  monuments 
of  degTadation  and  a  disgrace  to  American  civil- 
ization. We  want  bread,  not  books.  Books 
"will  not  pay  for  our  little  home  and  doctor's 
bills.    By  the  way,  how  is  Lucy  ?  " 

"  I  don't  think  she  is  much  better.     The  doc- 


THE  STRIKE  9 

tor  says  that  her  fever  is  much  higher  than  yes- 
terday," replied  his  wife. 

Lucy,  their  eldest  child,  was  a  charming  girl 
of  nineteen,  loved  by  all  who  knew  her,  a  com- 
municant of  the  church  and  the  idol  of  her  pa- 
rents. She  had  worked  in  a  Pittsburg  factory 
until  taken  ill  and  had  given  her  small  earnings 
towards  the  payment  of  the  home. 

"  Has  Eobinson  been  here  ?  "  asked  the  hus- 
band. Eobinson  was  the  agent  who  collected 
the  monthly  installments  on  their  home. 

"  Yes,  he  left  just  before  you  came  in.  I'm 
sorry  to  tell  you,  but  he  said  if  the  payment  for 
May  was  not  made  or  some  arrangement  made, 
he  would  be  compelled  to  take  possession,''  re- 
plied his  wife. 

''  My  God,  Jennie,  what  am  I  to  do  ?  I  tell 
you  things  cannot  go  on  this  way.  I  am  one  of 
thousands  in  the  same  trouble.  This  thing  has 
got  to  be  settled.  If  not  by  words  then  by 
blood." 

"Patience,  William,  don't  get  so  excited. 
We'll  pull  through.  God  is  wisdom.  God  is 
love,"  replied  his  wife. 

"  That's  very  well  to  say,  Jennie,  but  I  some- 
times doubt  if  there  is  a  God,"  replied  William. 
Just  at  this  moment,  Charley,  their  young- 
est, a  flaxen-haired  boy  of  six,  came  in,  and 
said,  "  Mamma,  Lucy  wants  you."    Jennie  and 


10  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

her  husband  both  arose  and  went  to  the  sick 
chamber. 

Just  at  that  moment  a  knock  was  heard  at  the 
door  and  as  Mrs.  Armstrong  opened  it,  Richard 
Johnson  inquired  after  the  health  of  Lucy.  He 
was  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  a  young  me- 
chanic employed  in  the  steel  works.  He  had 
formed  an  acquaintance  with  Lucy,  which  had 
ripened  into  an  affection  that  was  reciprocal. 


CHAPTER  II. 

A    PUBLIC    MEETIITG. 

The  strike  came  like  a  thunderbolt  and  spread 
dismay  throughout  the  country  and  brought 
gloom  to  many  a  hearthstone.  There  had  been 
strikes  before,  but  none  of  such  magnitude  as 
the  present  one,  and  tlie  strikers  had  never 
crossed  swords  with  so  formidable  an  adversary. 
The  decree  had  gone  forth  along  the  line  to  the 
different  manufacturing  establishments  in  the 
large  cities  that  the  workingmen,  members  of 
the  association,  should  cease  work.  This  order 
in  the  main  was  respected.  Mills  and  estab- 
lishments were  closed,  and  thousands  of  work- 
men were  idle.  Business  circles  were  para- 
lyzed and  stagnation  set  in.  The  outlook  was 
not  rosy.  Idle  men  were  standing  in  knots  on 
the  street  comers  in  Pittsburg  and  gathered  in 
saloons  discussing  tlie  situation.  Meetings 
were  being  held  in  different  places  in  the  city. 
A  meeting  was  advertised  to  take  place  at 
Chambers  Hall  on  Tuesday  evening  at  eight 
o'clock  in  pursuance  of  a  call  made  by  the  local 
committee  of  the  association.     At  the  appointed 

II 


12  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

hour  men  and  women  flocked  to  the  hall.  The 
audience  was  a  mixed  one,  and  scattered  here 
and  there  could  he  seen  a  Pinkerton  spy,  dressed 
in  citizens  clothes.  Anxious  wives  and  mothers 
watched  the  proceedings  with  interest. 

The  Chairman  called  the  meeting  to  oraer 
and  stated  its  ohject  in  a  short  address.  A  com- 
mittee on  resolutions  was  appointed,  and  after 
the  resolutions  had  heen  read  (reciting  their 
grievances),  which  had  been  previously  pre- 
pared, the  Chairman  announced  that  the  meet- 
ing was  open  for  remarks. 

After  two  or  three  speeches  had  heen  made 
of  a  highly  inflammable  character,  a  young 
man,  an  apparent  stranger,  arose  and  requested 
the  privilege  of  saying  a  few  words.  Cries  of 
"  Platfonn,"  "  Platform,"  immediately  arose, 
and  the  young  man  in  a  modest  manner  stepped 
upon  the  platform. 

Stephen  Wliipple,  the  speaker,  was  about 
twenty-eight  years  of  age,  nearly  six  feet  tall, 
dark  complexion,  large  head,  a  beautiful  grey 
eye,  and  withal  a  splendid  speciman  of  physical 
and  intellectual  manhood.  He  was  well  edu- 
cated, a  deep  thinker,  a  great  reader  and  more 
than  an  average  speaker.  He  had  been  in  Pitts- 
burg for  only  a  few  months,  had  been  admitted 
to  the  bar  and  had  desk  room  in  the  law  office  of 
Perkins  &  Perkins,  one  of  the  leading  firms  of 
the  city. 


A  PUBLIC  MEETING  13 

His  genial  and  thoughtful  face  and  his  atti- 
tude as  he  reached  the  platform  at  once  won  the 
hearts  of  his  audience.  He  spoke  substantially 
as  follows: 

"  Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen : — 
I  am  a  stranger  in  your  midst,  but  my  heart  and 
soul  are  with  you  in  your  cause  and  the  prin- 
ciples which  you  espouse.  This  is  a  critical 
period  in  the  history  of  our  nation.  A  crisis 
is  upon  us  and  should  be  settled  by  the  Ameri- 
can people  if  this  republic  shall  endure.  I  have 
some  misgivings  as  to  the  permanency  of  our 
institutions  if  the  present  conditions  in  the  in- 
dustrial world  continue  to  exist.  Whither  are 
we  drifting?  Was  a  money  oligarchy  the  end 
and  aim  of  the  fathers  of  the  republic  in  secur- 
ing the  happiness  of  the  people?  Was  this 
government  founded  for  the  benefit  of  the  few, 
like  the  Morgans,  Kockefellers,  Vanderbilts  and 
men  of  like  stamp,  or  was  it  founded  for  the 
benefit  of  the  masses  ?  Shall  the  people  permit 
the  building  up  of  a  plutocracy  which  shall  de- 
stroy and  undermine  the  very  government  itself, 
if  not  checked  ?  I  ask  your  candid  considera- 
tion of  these  questions  as  they  affect  your  in- 
terest and  mine  and  those  who  come  after  us, 
and  touch  the  very  life  of  our  government. 

"  This  is  a  government  of  the  people,  the 
whole  people,  and  not  the  golden  few,  and 
where  the  interest  of  the  people  is  in  jeopardy 


14  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

the  remedy  is  in  the  hands  of  the  people.  The 
grievances  of  which  you  complain  and  which 
has  brought  this  large  audience  together  have 
their  source  in  the  evils  which  I  have  referred 
to,  and  your  government  is  not  big  enough  or 
strong  enough  to  protect  you  and  you  are  left  at 
the  mercy  of  a  moneyed  octopus. 

"  I  refer  more  particularly  to  the  '  Billion- 
dollar  steel  trust'  and  others  which  have  fas- 
t^^ned  themselves  upon  the  necks  of  the  people. 
The  trust  destroys  competition;  creates  monop- 
oly; concentrates  wealth;  corrupts  our  repre- 
sentatives; overpowers  our  government;  de- 
stroys ambition  and  manhood ;  paralyzes  free- 
dom of  action,  and  gives  the  laborer  no  choice, 
but  he  must  ser\^e  the  master  who  is  placed  over 
him ;  it  has  no  conscience,  and  the  day  is  not  far 
distant  when  the  bread  of  the  country  will  be  in 
their  control  to  be  doled  out  to  the  masses  upon 
such  terms  and  prices  as  it  shall  see  fit. 

"  In  this  age  of  money-getting  and  the  rush  of 
enterprise  it  is  time  to  call  a  halt.  It  requires 
a  Jeffersonian  intellect  to  unravel  the  many 
knotty  problems  which  menace  the  very  exist- 
ence of  our  country.  The  future  historian  will 
look  back  upon  the  present  and  picture  our  con- 
dition in  its  true  light.  We  want,  if  possible, 
to  get  out  of  ourselves  and  see  '  where  we  are 
at.'  The  most  simple-minded  man,  upon  a 
broad  survey  can  come  to  but  one  conclusion, 


A  PUBLIC  MEETING  15 

viz:  That  our  country  in  its  monetary  and 
financial  tendency  is  running  in  the  wrong  di- 
rection, and  its  future  welfare  is  not  founded 
on  those  principles  which  will  conduce  to  the 
happiness  and  prosperity  of  its  people. 

'^  National  prosperity  feeds  on  something 
more  substantial  than  mere  money  making  and 
corporate  greed. 

^^  Religion,  virtue,  education,  justice  and 
their  attendant  blessings  are  the  only  safeguards 
of  a  republic  and  vital  in  the  perpetuity  of 
her  institutions.  The  most  enthusiastic  advo- 
cate of  ^  commercialism '  cannot  fail  to  have 
some  misgivings  as  to  the  outlook.  The  wis- 
dom and  foresight  of  the  citizen  discerns  the 
danger.  This  country  cannot  exist  ^  half -slave 
and  half-free.'  Class  and  caste  have  no  place 
in  our  boasted  civilization.  The  greatest  good 
to  the  greatest  number  is  our  shibboleth. 

"  Great  national  questions  are  constantly 
arising  and  it  is  only  by  the  vigilance  and 
patriotism  of  the  people  that  they  can.  be  fully 
met  and  answered.  ^  Unsettled  questions  and 
pressing  problems  are  the  police  of  the  world, 
always  on  duty,  giving  the  nations  no  repose, 
and  bidding  humanity  move  ever  on.' 

"  What  is  the  solution  of  the  problem  and  the 
cure  for  the  evil  tendency  to  plutocracy  to 
which  I  have  referred  ? 

"  My  answer  is  Public  Opinion ;  a  healthy: 


i6  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

public  opinion,  which  has  heretofore  carried 
this  nation  through  several  crises  where  its  na- 
tional life  was  in  danger.  It  is  a  latent  power 
and*  exists  in  the  majority  of  the  minds  of  the 
people  and  only  needs  an  awal^ening.  '  There 
is  no  patriotism  without  publicity,  and.  though 
publicity  cannot  always  prevent  mischief,  it  is 
at  all  events  an  alarm  bell,  which  calls-  the  pub- 
lic to  the  spot  of  danger.' 

"  The  right  of  self-preservation  is  paramount 
to  all  other  considerations,  and  the  power  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  people,  even  to  the  right  of 
revolution,  if  necessary.  If  the  government 
cannot  save  and  maintain  its  existence  the  peo- 
ple have  the  inherent  right  to  interfere.  This 
right  is  secured  to  them  by  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  and  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States.  This  government  was  founded 
for  the  masses  and  all  the  people;  not  for  any 
particular  class. 

"  The  true  grandeur  of  our  nation  consists, 
as  I  have  before  stated,  in  its  virtue,  justice, 
equality  and  those  blessings  which  secure  the 
happiness  of  the  whole  people.  And  to  that 
end  it  is  the  duty  of  every  true  American  to 
take  a  part  and  lend  his  aid.  It  is  not  a  party 
question,  but  concerns  all  good  citizens.  My 
friends,  I  sometimes  despair  as  to  the  future. 
Dark  clouds  are  seen  in  the  distance.  But  I 
have  faith  in  the  people  and  that  Right  and 


A  PUBLIC  MEETING  17 

Justice  will  prevail.  I  am  not  an  advocate  of 
force  or  violence,  but  what  the  end  will  be  God 
only  knows.  You  will  have  to  submit  to  any 
terms  which  these  colossal  corporations  see  fit 
to  impose.  You  have  no  alternative.  The  God 
of  nations  will  carry  you  safely  through  this 
Eed  Sea  of  difficulty.  I  thank  you  for  your 
attention." 

As  the  speaker  finished,  round  after  round  of 
applause  were  given  for  his  eloquent,  earnest 
and  conciliatory  words.  "  America  "  was  sung 
by  the  audience  and  the  meeting  dispersed. 


CHAPTEK  III. 

THE    CONSPIRACY. 

After  the  meeting  the  people  scattered  in 
different  directions,  some  going  to  their  dismal 
homes  and  others  wending  their  way  to  the  sa- 
loons, which  had  been  their  habit.  Words  of 
praise  were  heard  on  every  hand  for  Stephen 
Whipple  and  his  speech. 

A  large  gathering  of  men  was  formed  at 
Schmidt's  beer  hall,  a  resort  known  as  the 
"  Workingman's  Home  "  (God  save  the  mark), 
where  the  smell  of  free  Innch  and  stale  beer 
wrapped  in  its  embrace  its  muddled  inmates. 
Boxes  were  set  apart  on  one  side  of  the  hall 
where  "  ladies  "  could  be  accommodated  if  they 
desired  to  quaff  the  foamy  beverage  or  where 
men  could  transact  business  of  a  private  nature. 

Into  one  of  these  enclosures  a  party  of  four 
entered,  viz:  William  Ratcliffe,  known  as 
"  Arizona  Bill,"  Mike  Strakoff,  Tony  Palladio 
and  our  young  mechanic,  Richard  Johnson  — 
representatives  of  different  nations.  They 
worked  together  in  the  same  department  in  the 
steel  works  and  were  usually  found  at  Schmidt's 
i8 


THE  CONSPIRACY  19 

in  the  evening,  as  they  had  no  other  place  to  go ; 
at  least  they  thought  so.  After  calling  for  a 
round  of  drinks,  young  Johnson,  not  drinking, 
but  taking  a  cigar,  the  conversation  turned  on 
the  strike  and  the  event  of  the  evening,  topics 
which  were  being  lai'gely  discussed  by  a  number 
in  tlie  main  bar-room  over  their  beer,  and 
which  at  times  were  of  an  exciting  nature. 

"  I  tell  you  what,  fellows,  that  Whipple  is  a 
cracker- jack,  but  he  didn't  hit  them  trust  fel- 
lers hard  enough,"  said  "  Arizona  Bill."  "  You 
got  to  hit  'em  hard  to  do  any  good  in  this  fight ; 
his  talk  won't  do  it.  He  said  he  did  not  be- 
lieve in  force,  but  I  do.  Eh,  Tony,  what  do 
you  say  ? " 

The  Italian  looked  up  and  out  of  his  dark 
eyes,  covered  with  hea\'y  eye-brows,  came  a 
sinister  expression  w^hich  spoke  louder  than 
words,  and  simply  remarked : 

"  Dat's  so.  Bill ;  dat's  biz ;  we  fix  'em ;  no  use 
talk ;  sum  strangle  iz  e  bes'  for  dem  fellers." 

The  Pole,  Strakoff,  did  not  take  part  in  the 
conversation,  but  emitted  an  occasional  grunt 
of  "  Ugh,"  like  a  well-fed  hog,  but  listened 
with  an  attentive  ear. 

Young  Johnson,  inexperienced  in  such  mat- 
ters, did  not  have  much  to  say,  but  was  resei^ed 
to  play  another  part  much  to  his  sorrow. 

Round  after  round  of  beer  w^as  drank  until 
the  hour  grew  late.     With  the  exception  of  a 


20  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

few  hangers-on  the  bar-room  was  depopulated. 
The  proprietor  called  at  the  box,  and,  address- 
ing  the  four,  said : 

"  Yell,  shentlemen,  dimes  look  pretty  blue. 
Wuss  I  ever  see.     Vat's  going  to  be  done  ?  " 

"  You  bet  the  times  are  blue,''  spoke  up  Bill. 
"  We'll  show  you  what's  going  to  be  done.  But 
what  are  you  crying  about  ?  It  don't  hurt  you, 
Pete.  You  get  our  money  whether  times  are 
good  or  bad." 

"  Yell,  how  is  dot,"  replied  Pete,  "  oof  you 
havn't  got  money  you  can't  puy  peer.  I  vant 
goot  dimes  as  veil  as  you.  I  tell  you,  poys,  we 
vants  a  new  gonstitution." 

"  What  do  you  know  about  a  constitution," 
interposed  Bill.  "  You  think  it  is  an  animal, 
like  a  dog,  because  it  follows  the  flag;  you  fel- 
lers come  to  this  country,  start  a  beer  saloon 
with  a  keg  of  beer  on  tick,  rob  the  working  man 
of  his  earnings  and  get  rich." 

"Dot's  not  fair,  Bill.  Yell,  poys,  I'll  set 
'em  up,"  answered  Pete. 

After  a  drink  all  around  the  company  left 
the  saloon. 

The  conspiracy  which  was  hatched  in  the  sa- 
loon was  planned  after  their  departure. 

Bill  and  his  companions  walked  towards  the 
Steel  Works  about  midnight,  and  were  recog- 
nized by  the  watchman  as  they  passed  along  the 
road  in  front  of  the  mill. 


THE  CONSPIRACY  21 

About  two  o'clock  in  the  following  morning  a 
terrific  explosion  was  heard  over  the  city  which 
shook  it  from  turret  to  foundation.  The  northern 
end  of  the  mill,  in  which  some  powder  had  been 
temporarily  stored,  was  blo^vn  into  atoms,  doing 
great  damage  tx3  valuable  machinery  and  other 
property.  The  adjoining  buildings  and  tene- 
ment houses  caught  fire,  and  a  disastrous  con- 
flagration followed.  The  fire  department  was 
quickly  on  the  ground,  and  hundreds  of  people 
thronged  to  witness  the  fire.  Many  present 
were  inwardly  satisfied  as  they  gazed  upon  the 
devouring  flames  sweeping  away  the  company's 
property. 

In  tlie  meantime  Bill  and  his  associates  had 
separated  and  sought  shelter  in  their  respective 
homes. 

Young  Johnson  had  gone  to  his  lodging  house 
and  crawled  stealthily  to  his  room  on  the  sec- 
ond floor  which  he  occupied.  With  stricken 
conscience  and  fear  of  discovery,  although  he 
had  not  taken  any  active  part  in  the  explosion, 
he  arose  early  in  the  morning  and  sought  shel- 
ter with  the  only  friend  he  had  in  Pittsburg, 
and  entered  the  cottage  of  William  Armstrong, 
just  as  the  milkman  was  coming  out  of  the 
front  yard.  He  met  Armstrong,  who  was  sur- 
prised at  his  early  call,  and  revealed,  in  confi- 
dence, the  part  he  had  played  in  the  explosion 
and  the  manner  in  which  he  was  seduced  by  his 


22  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

scheming  associates  to  accompany  them,  and  to 
which  he  had  reluctantly  assented.  Armstrong 
promised  him  protection. 

Suspicion  at  once  rested  on  the  four,  from  the 
circumstances  of  being  overheard  in  the  saloon ; 
their  departing  from  there  in  company,  and 
from  the  statement  of  the  watchman  and  milk- 
man. Warrants  for  their  arrest  were  at  once 
sworn  out,  and  Richard  Johnson  and  William 
Armstrong  were  arrested,  the  latter  as  an  ac- 
cessory in  shielding  Johnson. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THE    AN^GEL    OF    DEATH. 

Gloom  had  settled  on  the  Armstrong  house- 
hold. Misfortunes  had  come  thick  and  fast. 
The  grief -stricken  mother  was  bowed  in  sorrow. 
JSTeighbors  had  tendered  their  kindly  offices. 
All  hope  seemed  to  have  vanished. 

Lucy  was  tossing  in  the  delirium  of  fever, 
with  small  hopes  of  her  recovery.  The  angel 
of  death  had  set  her  seal  upon  her.  Her  little 
brother  in  his  innocence  had  told  her  "  that  a 
man  with  a  big  star  had  gone  away  with 
papa  and  Richard."  Her  suspicions  were 
aroused,  and  she  became  excited,  and  her  fever 
was  intensified.  In  her  delirious  moments  she 
would  call  for  "  Papa  "  and  "  Richard,''  and  in 
her  lucid  intervals  would  inquire  of  her  motlier 
about  them,  which  the  good  mother  w^ould  avoid 
answering  by  some  simple  excuse.  Life  was 
ebbing  fast,  and  she  began  to  sink  rapidly.  The 
window  was  raised,  so  that  she  could  breathe  the 
summer  air  and  listen  to  the  songs  of  birds  in 
their  joyous  melody.  The  final  moment  at  last 
came,  and  as  the  sun  was  rising  in  the  east, 

23 


24  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

amid  the  twitter  of  the  songsters,  the  bahny  air 
caught  in  its  tender  embrace  the  expiring 
breath  of  Lucy  Armstrong  and  wafted  it  to  the 
mystery  beyond,  and  as  wave  after  wave  of  ce- 
lestial music  fell  upon  the  enchanted  ears,  in 
imagination,  of  those  kneeling  at  her  bedside, 
her  soul  was  shrouded  in  the  sunlight  of  immor- 
tality. 

The  broken-hearted  mother,  staggering  under 
her  load  of  grief,  leading  her  boy,  repaired  to 
an  adjoining  room  and  fell  upon  her  knees^ 
and  in  earnest  supplication  besought  the  Father 
of  Mercies  to  comfort  her  in  her  misfortunes 
and  give  her  strength  to  bear  up  under  them. 

Arrangements  for  the  funeral  were  made. 
Financial  and  other  aid  came  from  unexpected 
sources.  On  the  appointed  day  friends  of  the 
family  and  schoolmates  of  Lucy  filled  the  cot- 
tage, and  tributes  of  flowers  shed  a  holy  fra- 
grance over  the  assembled  company.  It  had 
been  arranged  that  the  funeral  services  should 
be  held  in  the  church  of  which  Lucy  was  a 
member,  the  Eev.  Patterson  the  pastor,  and 
thither  the  solemn  procession  wended  its  way. 
The  little  church  was  packed  with  people.  By 
permission  of  the  authorities  the  father  of  Lucy 
was  permitted  to  be  present.  Just  before  the 
services  began,  while  the  choir  was  singing  the 
hymn  of  hymns,  "  ^N'earer,  My  God,  to  Thee," 
the  tall  form  of  William  Armstrong  entered, 


THE  ANGEL  OF  DEATH  25 

accompanied  by  a  deputy  sheriff,  and  with  a 
throbbing  heart  and  a  sad  face  he  took  his  seat 
in  the  front  row  beside  his  wife. 

The  pastor  delivered  a  short  sermon,  and 
spoke  in  toudiing  terms  of  the  good  qualities 
and  virtues  of  the  deceased.  "  Lead,  Kindly 
Light,"  was  then  sung  by  the  choir,  and  oppor- 
tunity was  then  given  to  view  the  remains  of 
Lucy. 

William  and  his  wife  together  approached 
the  casket,  and  the  husband,  with  tears  and 
sobs  as  he  took  a  farewell  glance  of  his  daugh- 
ter, bowed  his  head  upon  the  coffin  and  cried 
out:  "  Lucy,  my  darling,  my  darling!  "  The 
stillness  of  death  pervaded  the  congi-egation, 
and  not  a  dry  eye  was  seen  in  that  little  body 
of  mouraers  and  auditors.  Armstrong  was 
hurriedly  taken  to  his  lonely  cell,  the  congrega- 
tion dispersed,  the  procession  moved  on  its  er- 
rand to  Oakwood  cemetery,  and  all  that  was 
mortal  of  Lucy  Armstrong  was  laid  in  its  final 
resting  place. 

Subsequently,  at  a  preliminary  trial  before 
Justice  Caldwell,  Armstrong  and  young  John- 
son were  discharged  from  custody  for  want  of 
sufficient  evidence  to  hold  them. 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE    SOCIAL    OPINION. 

As  sweet  and  handsome  a  party  of  young  la- 
dies as  you  could  have  wished  for  were  gath- 
ered in  the  luxuriant  tea-room  at  the  home  of 
Lucille  Fletcher,  where  they  had  met  for  an 
afternoon  social  and  gossip. 

"  What  is  the  matter  with  you,  Lucille  ? 
You  don't  act  like  yourself ;  you  are  not  think- 
ing about  that  handsome  young  radical,  Stephen 
Whipple,  are  you  ? "  The  speaker  laughed 
wickedly  as  she  raised  her  dainty  Sevres  china 
cup  to  her  lip,  for  she  saw  her  random  shot  had 
reached  its  mark,  the  burning  blush  on  Lucille's 
cheek  telling  its  own  story  of  conscious  guilt. 
A  moment  later  Lucille  raised  her  head  proudly 
and  flashed  back  the  retort,  "  Could  my 
thoughts  have  better  employment  ?  Where  will 
you  find  anotlier  man  or  one  who  does  more 
good  to  his  fellow-men  ?  I  tell  you,  girls,  his 
speech  last  night,  which  I  read  this  morning, 
has  stirred  my  blood.  We  think:  we  have  done 
all  of  our  duty  when  we  hold  a  Fair  or  two  for 
the  benefit  of  the  poor,  or  give  them  a  Christ- 
26 


THE  SOCIAL  OPINION  27 

mas  or  Thanksgiving  dinner,  but  this  is  not 
what  they  need  or  want  so  much  as  thej  need 
and  desen^e  better  pay  and  better  treatment 
from  their  employers;  these  men  who  work  in 
the  mills  have  souls,  minds,  and  bodies  which 
need  development  as  well  as  our  own,  and  they 
are  entitled  to  justice  and  sympathy  from  their 
employers.  I  don't  pretend  to  know  very 
mucli  about  the  matter,  but  from  what  I  have 
read  and  observed,  that  is  my  opinion." 

Lucille  waxed  eloquent,  and  her  hand  trem- 
bled so  violently  as  she  finished  this,  to  say  the 
least,  peculiar  speech,  considering  her  father's 
station  in  the  world  of  employers,  she  was 
scarcely  able  to  pour  the  fragrant  Oolong  into 
the  delicate  cups  upon  the  well-appointed  tea- 
table,  around  which  her  companions  were  sit- 
ting. Rather  a  lengthy  pause  ensued,  and  a 
feeling  of  amazement  filled  her  auditors. 
Then  Janet  Horton,  a  tall,  aristocratic  ffirL 
said: 

''Well,  my  dear,  if  you  feel  so  strong  on 
this  point,  why  not  try  a  little  of  your  eloquence 
upon  your  father  %  He  might  remedy  the  evil 
amongst  quite  a  number  of  people,  for  he  em- 
ploys hundreds,  I  believe." 

"  I^Tow,  Janet,  don't  wax  sarcastic,  for  you 
know  I  Icfve  you  too  dearly  to  get  angry  with 
you,  and  you  must  realize  how  little  good  I  can 
do  single-handed.     What  I  would  like  would  be 


28  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

for  all  you  girls  to  go  with  me  to  one  of  those 
meetings  for  working  men  and  women ;  to  listen 
dispassionately  to  all  you  may  hear,  and  then, 
dears,  do  as  your  hearts  dictate  in  influencing  all 
our  fathers,  brothers  and  —  well,  we  haven't  any 
husbands  yet,  have  we  ?  —  but  some  of  us  may 
have  soon,"  and  she  glanced  mischievously  at  a 
pretty  little  bride-elect,  who  was  suddenly  much 
interested  in  drawing  off  her  tea  grounds  prepar- 
atory to  having  them  read  by  an  amateur  sibyl, 
who  was  even  now  peering  into  a  dainty  cup 
with  a  look  of  profound  wisdom  upon  her 
charming  face.     Suddenly  the  oracle  spoke : 

"  Maidens  all,  listen  to  what  the  tea  grounds 
predict !  Within  eleven  days  you  —  I  speak 
now  of  the  drinker  of  the  cup  of  tea  —  will 
be  in  a  crowd  of  people  strauge  to  you.  Angry 
words  will  be  spoken  and  of  you  and  yours,  but 
here  I  see  you  leaving  the  crowd  and  accom- 
panied by  a  tall,  slim  young  man."  There  a 
merry  peal  of  laughter  interrupted  the  mis- 
chievous sibyl,  for  it  was  Lucille's  cup  being 
read,  and  of  course  it  was  Stephen  Whipple  and 
his  crowd  of  workingmen  to  w^hom  she  referred. 

After  the  laughter  and  fun  was  over  the 
girls  settled  down  to  a  quiet  talk  regarding  the 
strike,  and  they  all  decided  to  investigate,  and 
if  possible  to  influence  their  fathers  to  concede 
something  to  the  workingrnen  and  thus  bring 
about  a  better  state  of  things.     In  a  word  they 


THE  SOCIAL  OPINION  29 

started  a  ''  happiness  trust,"  although  in  em- 
bryo. 

With  the  usual  compliments  to  Lucille  for 
the  "  splendid  time  "  they  had,  our  fair  guests 
separated  for  their  homes. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

A    GENEROUS    HEART. 

A  spirit  of  loneliness  and  melancholy  per- 
vaded the  Armstrong  home;  with  the  excep- 
tion of  an  occasional  call  from  some  kind- 
hearted  neighbor,  who  came  to  sympathize  and 
condole,  she  was  alone  in  her  grief,  and  her  only- 
solace  and  comfort  was  found  in  her  two  dear 
children,  whom  she  loved  as  only  a  mother  can. 
Her  husband  was  still  in  jail. 

A  few  days  after  the  burial  of  Lucy,  the 
agent  Robinson  appeared,  and  in  as  respectful 
a  manner  as  he  was  capable  of,  notified  her  in 
writing  that  she  must  quit  the  premises,  as  the 
Steel  Company,  for  whom  he  was  acting, 
wanted  the  house. 

Another  blow  had  fallen  on  her,  and  in  her 
distress  she  did  not  know  which  way  to  turn. 
She  had  a  slight  acquaintance  with  the  law  firm 
of  Perkins  &  Perkins,  and  in  her  extremity  she 
decided  to  acquaint  them  with  her  trouble,  as 
they  might  be  able  to  assist  her.  Mortified  and 
grief-stricken  she  concluded  that  she  would  send 
her  daughter  Amelia,  her  now  eldest  child,  of 
30 


A  GENEROUS  HEART  31 

seventeen,  bright  beyond  her  years  and  with  a 
full  comprehension  of  the  family  troubles,  and 
ready  to  assist  in  any  way  in  her  power  to  re- 
lieve them,  made  her  way  to  the  law  office.  On 
entering  the  office  she  met  the  elder  Mr.  Per- 
kins, who  listened  to  her  story,  but  making  an 
excuse  that  he  was  extremely  busy,  requested 
her  to  step  into  an  adjoining  room,  where  he 
introduced  her  to  Mr.  Whipple,  who,  he  said, 
would  "  look  after  the  matter,"  and  took  his 
leave.  As  this  beautiful  girl  related  in  a  pa- 
thetic manner  her  simple  story,  with  tears  in 
her  liquid  blue  eyes,  Stephen  Whipple  was 
lost  in  her  beauty,  forgoi  for  the  moment  what 
she  was  talking  about,  and  his  heart  beat  wdth 
admiration  for  the  beautiful  being  who  sat  in 
his  presence;  for  the  time  being,  instead  of 
"  looking  after  the  matter,"  he  was  looking 
after  her.  He  collected  his  thoughts,  and 
stated  to  her  that  he  would  think  over  the  mat- 
ter and  see  what  could  be  done,  and  in  order 
to  have  an  excuse  for  meeting  her  again,  he 
promised  to  call  on  her  mother  that  evening. 
Amelia  took  her  departure,  and  on  her  way 
home  she  was  revolving  in  her  mind  the  thought 
and  almost  spoke  out  the  words,  "  What  a 
splendid  gentleman  Mr.  Whipple  is." 

After  his  ^vinsome  caller  had  left,  Mr.  Whip- 
ple firmly  resolved  that  he  would  help  the  Arm- 
strong family  out  of  the  dilemma  into  which 


32  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

they  had  fallen.  lie  was  acting  as  rental  agent 
for  some  private  parties  who  had  several  houses 
in  Pittsburg,  two  of  them  being  now  vacant. 
The  Armstrongs  should  have  one  of  them  if  he 
had  to  pay  the  rent  himself. 

In  the  evening  Mr.  Whipple  made  his  ap- 
pearance. He  found  Mrs.  Armstrong  and 
Amelia  alone.  After  an  introduction  by  the 
daughter  to  her  mother,  they  proceeded  to  talk 
over  their  business  and  troubles.  During  the 
conversation  Mr.  Whipple  said: 

"  Mrs.  Armstrong,  I  am  agent  for  a  few 
houses  in  the  west  end  of  the  city,  and  I  find 
that  two  of  them  are  vacant;  one  of  them  is  a 
handsome  cottage  of  six  rooms  on  a  large  lot_, 
which  I  think  will  just  suit  you." 

Mrs.  Armstrong  asked :  ^^  What  is  the  rent, 
Mr.  Whipple  ? " 

He  replied :  "  We  have  been  asking  fifteen 
dollars  a  month." 

She  said,  hesitatingly :  "  The  rent  is  cheap 
enough,  but  you  know  what  trouble  we  have 
had,  and  we  are  left  without  a  dollar." 

Amelia,  interrupting,  said :  ^'  Mamma,  take 
the  cottage ;  I'll  be  able  to  pay  the  rent.  I  for- 
got to  tell  you  that  Mr.  Harris  told  me  today 
that  he  would  have  a  place  in  his  store  for  me 
next  Monday." 

Mr.  Whipple  cut  off  the  conversation  by  say- 
ing :     "  Mrs.  Armstrong,  I  have  heard  of  your 


A  GENEROUS  HEART  33 

trouble  and  bereavement,  and  I  deeply  sym- 
pathize with  you.  All  I  can  say  is,  take  the 
cottage,  and  do  not  feel  anxious  about  the  rent. 
I  will  send  the  keys  tomorrow." 

Mother  and  daughter  both  heartily  thanked 
him  for  his  generous  offer.  Amelia  saw  him  to 
tlie  door,  extended  her  hand,  which  he  warmly 
grasped,  and  he  bade  them  a  good-night.  A 
ray  of  sunshine  had  entered  the  Armstrong 
home. 

In  a  few  days  they  were  nicely  settled  in  the 
Whipple  cottage,  their  furniture  and  movables 
having  been  taken  there  by  Mr.  Harris'  team- 
ster, without  expense. 

William  Armstrong  soon  joined  the  family  in 
their  new  home. 


CHAPTEK  VII. 


Whipple's  history. 


The  name  of  Stephen  Whipple  was  men- 
tioned with  laudation  and  praise  by  the  laboring 
class  after  his  speech  at  Chambers  Hall;  he 
became  very  popular  with  them. 

As  he  is  to  figure  in  the  present  story  and 
destined  to  become  one  of  the  leading  charac- 
ters, a  word  as  to  his  personal  history  will  not 
be  out  of  place. 

He  was  tlie  son  of  a  well-to-do  farmer  in 
^Northern  l^ew  York;  and  had  shown  in  his 
earlier  years  such  an  aptitude  for  books  and  in 
the  search  for  knowledge,  that  his  father  had 
gratified  his  son's  wishes  in  that  direction  in 
so  far  as  his  limited  means  would  permit.  Af- 
ter a  course  in  a  local  academy  he  was  sent  to 
Amherst  College,  where  he  graduat-ed  with  high 
honors.  He  read  law  in  an  attorney's  office  in 
a  small  town  near  his  father's  home,  but  being 
circumscribed  in  his  ambition,  he  was  on  the 
outlook  for  a  broader  field  in  which  to  display 
his  abilities. 

He  had  a  rich  uncle,  Abraham  Whipple,  a 
34 


WHIPPLhS  HISTORY  35 

banker  and  a  heavy  stockholder  in  the  Steel 
Company,  residing  in  Pittsburg,  to  whom  he 
made  his  wishes  known.  In  a  short  time  he 
received  a  warm  and  cordial  invitation  from 
his  uncle  to  come  to  Pittsburg,  and  that  he 
would  aid  him  in  every  way  possible  and 
"  throw  "  business  his  way,  and  assured  him  of 
success.  He  accepted  the  proposal  of  his  uncle, 
and  we  find  him  in  the  office  of  Perkins  & 
Perkins.  His  uncle,  on  his  arrival,  had  taken 
him  to  his  home,  where  he  was  surrounded  with 
the  wealth  and  luxury  which  his  uncle's  posi- 
tion justified.  Being  a  large  owner  of  real  es- 
tate, he  gave  his  nephew  the  collection  of  his 
rents  and  entrusted  him  with  other  business 
which  he  was  able  to  do.  His  uncle  also  in- 
troduced him  to  his  friends,  and  through  them 
he  obtained  considerable  professional  business, 
as  w^ell  as  a  standing  in  society. 

Among  the  friends  of  his  uncle  was  Mr. 
Archibald  Fletcher,  a  large  property  owner  and 
a  stockholder  in  the  Steel  Company,  to  whom 
the  nephew  was  introduced,  and  who  did  what 
he  could  to  aid  young  Whipple's  advancement. 
Mr.  Fletcher  had  a  beautiful  home  on  one  of 
the  aristocratic  residence  streets,  and  it  was 
furnished  with  elegance  and  luxury  without 
regard  to  expense;  its  interior  was  a  veritable 
picture  gallery,  where  could  be  seen  the  genius 
and  art  of  the  old  masters,  in  which  its  owner 


36  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

took  great  pride,  as  he  claimed  to  be  a  connois- 
seur; the  grounds,  bams  and  horses  were  the 
envy  of  his  neighbors.  But,  far  above  these 
material  possessions,  Mr.  Fletcher  had  a  lovely 
family,  consisting  of  his  wife  and  three  daugh- 
ters, whom  he  idolized,  and  this  no  doubt  ac- 
counts for  the  attention  which  he  paid  to  Mr. 
Whipple,  as  he  had  not  been  blessed  with  a  son 
of  his  own.  Luc^ille,  the  second  daughter,  was 
in  her  nineteenth  year,  and  unusually  prepos- 
sessing; she  was  a  brunette,  tall  and  stately, 
and  in  her  movements  graceful  and  elegant ;  she 
was  frank  and  generous  in  her  nature,  and  her 
sterling  qualities  made  her  a  favorit-e  with 
those  who  Avere  fortunate  in  her  acquaintance. 

At  the  urgent  request  and  invitation  of  Mr. 
Fletcher,  young  Whipple  had  become  a  fre- 
quent visitor  at  his  home,  and  his  fine  presence 
and  manly  bearing  made  him  a  favorite  with 
the  family,  particularly  with  Lucille,  who  saw 
in  him  those  qualities  which  make  an  ideal 
manhood;  and  in  return  our  hero  saw  in  Lu- 
cille those  virtues  which  go  to  make  up  a  true 
woman. 

Fortune  had  smiled  upon  young  Whipple 
both  in  a  social  and  business  sense,  and  his 
prospects  seemed  to  predict  a  bright  and  pros- 
perous future.  But,  alas!  who  can  tell  what 
the  future  may  bring  forth  and  how  hopes  may 
be  shattered  by  unforeseen  circumstances ! 


WHIPPLE'S  HISTORY  37 

When  his  uncle  and  Mr.  Fletcher  had  learned 
of  young  Whipple's  attitude  and  the  speech  that 
he  had  made  in  behalf  of  the  strikers,  they  were 
astonished  and  disappointed  and  lost  that  in- 
terest in  him  which  they  had  from  the  first 
manifested;  and  this  coldness  and  indifference 
was  not  confined  to  these  gentlemen  alone,  but 
had  reached  the  Fletcher  household,  where  his 
visits  became  less  frequent.  The  Fletcher  fam- 
ily, Lucille  excepted,  had  condemned  the  posi- 
tion he  had  taken ;  that  lady,  while  not  praising 
him,  could  not  see  wherein  he  was  guilty  of 
any  great  wrong.  She,  of  course,  was  disap- 
pointed, for  at  heart  she  was  captivated  by  his 
presence,  which  she  was  careful  not  to  show  to 
the  members  of  her  household,  and  had  secretly 
built  her  hopes  that  at  some  time  she  might 
possess  his  heart.  About  this  time  rumors  were 
afloat,  and  came  to  the  ears  of  Lucille,  that 
young  Whipple  was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the 
Armstrong  house  and  was  a  great  admirer  of 
Amelia.  This  was  an  added  disappointment, 
and  produced  a  shock  to  the  nerves  of  Lucille 
and  brought  sadness  to  her  heart. 

The  uncle  kindly  reproved  his  nephew  for 
the  course  he  was  taking,  but  failed  to  change 
his  views. 

When  young  Whipple  was  selected  as  a  dele- 
gate to  the  convention  to  be  held  in  Chicago, 
as  hereafter  appears,  he  had  entrusted  the  col- 


38  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

lection  of  his  uncle's  rente  to  William  Arm- 
strong, but  during  the  absence  of  his  nephew  the 
uncle  took  the  business  out  of  Armstrong's 
hands  and  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  another 
agent. 


CHAPTEE  VIII. 

A  nation's  bereavement. 

The  summer  months  were  rapidly  passing, 
and  the  strike  was  not  settled,  and  the  prospects 
for  an  early  adjustment  of  the  difficulty  were 
not  bright.  The  organization  of  strikers  had 
run  against  a  wall  of  adamant;  they  had  met, 
for  the  first  time  in  their  history,  a  foe  which 
showed  no  signs  of  yielding  to  their  demands. 
A  feeling  of  unrest  pervaded  the  business  inter- 
ests of  the  countiy,  and  the  outlook  was  any- 
thing but  favorable.  A  battle  was  raging  that 
was  to  leave  its  impress  on  the  fate  and  destiny 
of  the  nation,  and  involved  questions  of  an  in- 
dustrial nature  which  at  some  time  must  be 
settled,  if  that  nation  should  live.  As  the  gold- 
en hue  of  autumn  was  making  its  entrance  on 
the  steps  of  time,  a  deep-laid  plot  was  being 
hatched  in  the  womb  of  anarchy  which  was  to 
strike  terror  in  the  hearts  of  a  liberty-loving 
people  and  bring  sorrow  and  bereavement  to 
many  a  hearthstone. 

While  apparent  peace  and  prosperity  were 
wreathed  in  smiles,  a  "  shot  was  heard  which 

39 


40  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

traveled  with  lightning  rapidity  around  the 
world/'  and  made  Monarchs  tremhle  and  tlie 
people  stand  aghast !  A  mighty  chief  had 
fallen !  The  head  of  a  mighty  nation  had  suc- 
cumbed to  the  assassin's  bullet !  The  people 
were  ruthlessly  deprived  of  their  chosen  leader ! 
The  mountains  bowed  in  silenct  and  the  tur- 
bulent sea  was  still  in  remembrance  of  the 
brave  heart  who  so  innocently  fell !  The  nation 
was  wrapped  in  gloom.  Stout-hearted  men 
shook  like  a  reed  in  the  wind,  and  loving  wives 
and  mothers  wept  as  they  gathered  around  the 
family  altar  in  memory  of  the  honored  dead. 
A  wave  of  sympathy  spread  over  the  land,  and 
be  it  said  to  the  honor  and  credit  of  the  Ameri- 
can workingmen  that  words  of  condemnation 
fell  from  their  lips,  from  every  quarter,  and 
were  heaped  upon  the  assassin  for  his  atrocious 
deed. 

William  McKinley  was  a  typical  American ; 
he  was  not  of  royal  lineage  or  born  to  power, 
but  sprang  from  the  people  and  won  his  way  by 
intrinsic  worth  and  usefulness.  His  only  heri- 
tage was  a  noble  ancestiy,  his  only  tnist  in  an 
all-wise  Power  which  controls  the  destinies  of 
nations.  His  early  struggles  and  home  influ- 
ences fitted  him  for  the  place  he  was  destined  to 
fill,  and  his  patriotism  and  military  virtues 
made  him  a  hero  vdth  the  people.  He  was  the 
foremost  knight  in  the  industrial  battle  waged 


A  NATION'S  BEREAVEMENT,  41 

for  protection,  and  had  full  faith  and  belief  in 
the  dignity  of  labor  which  conduced  to  the  hap- 
piness of  the  people.  He  fimily  believed  in  the 
basic  principle  of  our  government,  that  the 
sourc©  of  power  was  in  the  sovereignty  of  the 
people.  Communalization,  not  caste  or  class, 
was  his  political  creed,  and  an  earnest  opponent 
of  centralization. 

While  at  the  helm  of  state,  by  his  sagacity  and 
a  cool  judgment,  our  naval  and  military  prow- 
ess became  the  admiration  and  the  envy  of  the 
world.  He  was  majestic  in  his  greatness,  equa- 
ble in  temper,  and  just  and  charitable  in  the 
performance  of  his  civic  duties,  and  in  the  solu- 
tion of  the  weighty  problems  which  constantly 
came  before  him.  His  ideal  home,  domestic 
virtues  and  Christian  graces  rose  like  a  heavenly 
influence  and  captivated  the  hearts  of  the 
American  people.  But  he  was  called  to  a  high- 
er life,  and  with  the  words,  "  It  is  God's  way ; 
His  will  be  done,"  upon  his  lips,  with  Chris- 
tian resignation,  his  spirit  joined  that  innumer- 
able throng  that  had  preceded  him,  and  the 
sainted  Lincoln  and  Garfield  opened  the  heav- 
enly portals  with  a  heavenly  welcome,  and  he 
was  received  by  the  Father,  "  where  he  wears 
a  truer  cro^m  than  any  wreath  that  man  can 
weave  him." 

The  "  mourning  of  a  mighty  nation "  is 
heard,  sorrow  darkens  the  land  and  universal 


42  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

woe.  Tributes  of  praise  are  heard,  mingled 
with  tears  in  every  hamlet  and  town,  the  last 
sad  rites  are  performed,  and  the  memory  of 
William  McKinley  is  kept  green  in  the  hearts 
of  the  people.  "  O  God !  whom  Thou  lovest. 
Thou  takest  away."  Why  this  national  calam- 
ity ?  What  shadow  of  excuse  was  there  for  it  ? 
None,  absolutely  none.  If  what  the  assassin 
said  be  true,  "  that  all  rulers  are  tyrants  and 
that  all  tyrants  should  be  removed,  ete.,"  his 
bullet  was  directed  against  the  wrong  object. 
William  McKinley  a  tyrant!  An  insane  delu- 
sion of  the  assassin,  bred  and  educated  into  his 
brain  bv  his  teachine'S  and  environments. 

Is  there  discontent  ?  Yes,  and  it  manifests 
itself  in  different  ways.  The  manifestation  in 
the  present  sad  instance  took  the  wrong  direc- 
tion, and  a  life  was  sacrificed  without  reason 
or  the  shadow  of  excuse.  As  a  traveler  winds 
his  way  around  the  outer  edges  of  a  volcano  and 
detects  here  and  there  smoke  being  forced  out 
at  different  points,  which  indicates  a  seething 
cauldron  of  lava  below,  liable  at  any  instant  to 
break  forth  in  a  terrible  eruption,  so  discontent 
in  the  lower  strata  of  society  is  seething  and  con- 
gesting and  may  at  any  moment  produce  a  revo- 
lution which  will  sweep  out  of  existence  all 
law  and  order  and  overwhelm  nations  in  its 
idevastation.  Our  country  with  its  vaunted  civ- 
ilization is  not  free  from  this  ghost  of  discon- 


A  NATION'S  BEREAVEMENT  43 

tent.  It  is  prowling  around  from  one  end  of 
the  land  to  the  other,  and  its  sunken  eyes  and 
haggard  form  are  seen  from  every  quarter,  with 
despair  and  wretchedness  written  in  its  sorrow- 
ing face. 

It  may  he  said  that  the  masses  are  better  fed, 
clothed  and  housed  than  at  any  previous  time  in 
the  history  of  the  world,  and  should  not  com- 
plain. True,  but  the  ideal,  "  that  mirror  re- 
flecting the  face  of  God,'^  is  higher  now  than  at 
any  previous  time,  and  mankind  are  aspiring 
towards  that  ideal,  and  deserve  better  treatment 
for  a  full  development  of  their  God-given  facul- 
ties. Man  cannot  live  by  bread  alone.  The 
soul  needs  nourishment  as  well  as  the  body. 
"  Animals  exist,  but  man  lives.''  The  spiritual, 
the  essence,  aspires  towards  the  ideal,  and 
should  not  be  checked  in  its  upward  course  to 
the  eternal.  The  era  of  war  and  oppression  has 
ceased  and  the  era  of  love  and  fraternity  has 
begun,  and  the  opening  of  a  new  century  is  lead- 
ing men  to  a  higher  and  better  thought.  Man 
is  evolving  to  a  higher  and  nobler  plane,  and  no 
man  or  combination  of  men  can  stay  his  course. 
The  day  of  barbarism,  darkness  and  oppression 
has  parsed,  and  the  dawn  of  light  has  appeared. 
Man  is  mind,  and  he  demands,  and  it  is  his 
right,  the  full  development  of  his  faculties. 
Man  is  thought,  and  no  power  can  prevent  tlie 
exercise  of  that  immortal  gift.     Man  is  free, 


44  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

and  no  authority  can  repress  his  freedom  when 
exercised  in  a  lawful  manner.  Man  demands 
reoogiiition  of  these  heaven-bom  qualities; 
Christianity  demands  it;  God  demands  it,  and 
the  life  and  pennanency  of  the  nation  demand 
it.  K^ature  has  showered  with  lavish  hand  her 
beneficent  gifts  for  his  use  and  benefit,  and  no 
earthly  power  should  rob  him  of  their  rightful 
use,  nor  monopolize  them  for  the  selfish  few. 
This  beautiful  land  is  the  gift  of  the  Almighty 
to  all  his  children  and  not  to  those  who  aiTOgate 
to  themselves  tliat  they  are  His  elect.  There  is 
no  need  of  sorrow,  misery  and  poverty ;  no  need 
of  hunger  and  distress ;  no  need  of  bitter  woe ; 
no  need  of  the  tenemental  cry  for  bread ;  no 
need  for  the  darkened  hovel;  no  need  for  the 
sickness  of  body  and  soul  which  these  calamities 
bring,  if  justice  and  charity  inspired  the  souls 
of  men,  and  a  Christ-like  sympathy  replaced  tlie 
cold  gi^eed  and  criminal  selfishness  of  the  mas- 
ters of  the  people. 


CHAPTEE  IX. 

THE    UPRISING    AND    RELIEF. 

Week  after  week  passed,  conference  after  con- 
ference was  held  between  the  Steel  Corporation 
and  the  Association  without  result.  The  Asso- 
ciation was  placed  in  the  attitude  of  a  beggar 
for  what  it  deemed  its  rights.  It  knew  that 
the  odds  were  against  it  in  its  endeavor  to  obtain 
what,  to  the  Association,  seemed  reasonable. 
While  it  was  true  that  the  strike  was  eventually 
settled,  yet  it  was  in  the  nature  of  a  compulsory 
settlement,  as  the  demand  for  bread  was 
stronger  and  higher  than  any  other  considera- 
tion, and  made  the  Association  of  strikers  easy 
prey  to  the  colossal  octopus  with  which  it  was 
contending.  Besides,  the  Association  had  some 
diflSculty  in  presenting  a  solid  front  in  its 
demands,  as  considerable  dissent  existed  in  sub- 
organizations  tliroughout  the  country,  who,  in 
some  cases,  refused  to  follow  the  leader  in  its 
policy  and  commands. 

But  this  was  only  a  temporary  truce.  There 
were  other  smoldering  influences  at  work  which, 
at  the  proper  time,  would  appear,  more  fomiid- 

45 


46  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

able  tlian  any  which  had  heretofore  'appeared, 
and  take  shape;  in  a  manner  altogether  different 
and  effective  from  what  had  heretofore  taken 
place.  Strike  after  strike  had  taken  place  in 
different  localities,  on  different  grounds, 
throughout  the  country  for  many  years,  with  no 
permanent  result  or  benefit,  patched  up  only  to 
break  out  again ;  a  constant  menace  to  tlie  busi- 
ness interests  and  welfare  of  the  people.  But 
now  a  radical  change  had  taken  place.  Instead 
of  a  strike  against  a  single  manufacturer,  as 
heretofore,  a  combination,  an  aggregation  in  the 
shape  of  a  "  trust ''  had  to  be  met,  mth  millions 
and  political  power  at  its  back.  A  crisis  was  at 
hand.  A  battle  was  to  be  fought  without  blood. 
Soul  against  gold.  Justice  against  injustice. 
Liberty  against  oppression.  The^  masses  against 
caste  and  class.  A  new  republic  was  to  be 
founded.  America  was  to  have  a  new  birtJi  of 
freedom. 

In  the  coming  conflict  and  among  those  who 
were  to  take  the  offensive  were  to  be  found  not 
the  mere  toiler  and  workman,  but  the  better 
class,  the  small  manufacturer,  the  producer,  the 
small  dealer,  the  farmer,  and  those  who  were 
the  sinew  and  muscle  of  the  body  politic;  in  a 
word,  the  masses,  who  were  the  foundation  and 
strength  of  republican  government  and  who  had 
a  deep  interest  in  its  perpetuity. 

On  the  defensive  were  arrayed  gold,  selfish- 


THE  UPRISING  AND  RELIEF  47 

ness  and  corporate  greed,  with  power  to  sub- 
sidize the  "  powers  that  be,"  but  as  in  the  past, 
so  the  present  contest  was  to  be  decided  on  the 
principles  of  eternal  Eight.  Human  rights 
were  only  decided  in  that  way.  Public  opinion 
was  at  fever  heat,  and  opportunity  was  waiting 
for  the  coming  revolution.     It  soon  came. 

From  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  particularly 
in  the  large  cities,  the  relation  of  employer  and 
employee  was  strained  and  gradually  breaking, 
and  strikes  again  were  the  order  of  the  day.     A 
general  uprising  of  the  masses  took  place,  such 
as  had  not  existed  since  the  days  of  the  civil 
war.     All  classes  of  people  were  affected.     Tho 
wheels  of  trade  moved  slower  and  business  wore 
a     sombre     aspect.     Pinancial     circles     were 
alarmed  at  the  outlook.     The  leading  manufac- 
turing and  mining  industries   of   .^he  country 
had  come  to  a  standstill.     The  emplo;y.-.es  of  the 
Steel  Corporation  again  quit  their  work  and 
joined   their   fellows   in   the  movement.     Idle 
men  and  women  thronged  the  cities,  and  with 
deep  mutterings  moved  restlessly  to  and  fro  like 
the  waves  of  an  angry  sea.     Thoughtful  men 
and   patriotic   citizens   trembled  with   fear   as 
they  saw  in  the  distance  the  coming  storm.     It 
seemed  as  if  the  old  Ship  of  State  had  cut  loose 
from  E'er  moorings  and  was  driven  hither  and 
thither,  without  anchor  or  guide,  on  the  sea  of 
despair.     Tho  people  arose  as  one  man  to  the 


48  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

rescue.  Far-seeing  statesmen  vied  with  each 
other  in  the  attempt  to  save  the  nation  from 
the  impending  calamity.  Meetings  were  held 
in  every  city  and  country  town,  and  speeches 
were  made,  full  of  patriotism  and  advocating 
immediate  action  towards  checking  the  danger 
which  threatened  the  country.  Words  of  con- 
demnation were  heard  on  every  hand  denounc- 
ing the  men  and  the  incuhus  which  was  sapping 
the  life  blood  of  the  nation,  and  which  was  the 
cause  of  so  much  discontent  and  misery. 

Societies  of  workmen  sprung  up  under  differ- 
ent names,  all  over  the  land,  with  new  men  as 
their  leaders,  whose  single  object  and  purpose 
was  the  destruction  of  "  trusts  "  and  all  com- 
binations under  whatever  name  which  monopo- 
lized labor  and  its  production  and  made  the 
workman  a  slave  to  their  tyrannical  greed,  with 
no  choice  or  freedom  in  the  selection  of  his 
master.  The  workingmen  had  as  powerful  al- 
lies the  merchant  and  men  in  different  occupa- 
tions of  life  who  had  been  driven,  from  the 
means  of  earning  a  living  by  these  rapacious 
"  trusts,"  and  were  also  supported  by  the  intel- 
ligence and  patriotism  of  the  great  mass  of  the 
people.  Railroad  and  steamboat  traffic  were 
also  suspended,  affecting  commerce  and  trans- 
portation, and  the  majority  of  tlie  railroad  em- 
ployees joined  in  the  movement. 

While  this  was  not  a  war  waged  for  pillage  or 


THE  UPRISING  AND  RELIEF  49 

blood,  but  a  righteous  contest  for  the  sacred 
rights  of  man,  yet  it  was  next  to  impossible  to 
prevent  disorder  and  riot  in  such  a  heteroge- 
neous mass  which  ebbed  and  flowed  like  the 
angry  billows  of  the  tempestuous  sea. 

Eiots  broke  out  in  Pittsburg,  Chicago,  Cleve- 
land and  San  Francisco  and  in  some  of  the 
southern  cities,  and  an  infant  revolution  had 
already  raised  its  horrible  and  cruel  head.  The 
police  of  the  different  cities  in  their  attempt  to 
preserve  order  were  helpless  and  many  lives 
were  lost  and  others  wounded  in  the  struggle. 
The  Governors  of  the  States  in  certain  places 
were  forced  to  call  out  the  militia,  but  this  ended 
in  failure,  as  the  troops  were  in  strong  sympathy 
with  their  fellow-citizens,  who  were  designated 
as  the  "  mob."  Appeals  were  made  to  the 
President  for  help,  but  notwithstanding  his 
quick  response,  and  regiment  after  regiment 
went  to  the  scenes  of  tumult,  yet  they  proved  of 
no  avail,  as  they  had  caught  the  spirit  of  disaf- 
fection and  would  not  shoot  down  their  so-called 
"  misguided "  brethren.  The  nation  was 
aroused ;  its  life  was  at  stake !  Democracy  was 
to  be  put  to  the  test.  Socialism  was  advancing 
mth  rapid  strides.  !N"ot  since  the  days  of  the 
American  Pevolution  or  the  Civil  War  had  the 
countiy  been  involved  in  such  a  crisis  or  forced 
to  meet  so  momentous  a  question. 

Press  and  pulpit  were  active  in  counselling 


50  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

moderation  and  demanding  immediate  action 
on  the  part  of  the  government.  The  cry  of  the 
people  was  in  the  same  direction;  they  de- 
manded that  the  cause  of  the  trouble  should  be 
removed.  Their  banners  were  inscribed  with 
different  mottoes,  such  as :  "  Do\vn  with  the 
Trusts,"  "  Down  with  the  combinations/'  "  This 
is  a  Govenimcnt  of  the  People,"  '^  Do\vn  with 
Plutocracy,"  and  others  of  a  like  nature. 

As  a  result  of  agitation,  a  call  was  made  for 
a  JSTational  Convention  to  be  held  at  Chicago, 
composed  of  delegates  chosen  from  the  different 
States.  This  step  had  a  tendency  to  quiet  the 
excitement  and  ease  the  minds  of  the  people. 
It  was  looked  forward  to  with  anxiety  and  hope. 

This  assembly  of  men,  which  has  become  his- 
toric, met  in  the  Auditorium  on  the  appointed 
day.  Its  members  were  men  of  ability,  sterling 
integrity  and  patriotism,  and  the  different 
States  had  aimed  to  send  its  best  men  to  repre- 
sent them  in  this  trying  ordeal.  As  a  body  it 
has  never  been  surpassed  for  its  wisdom  and 
foresight,  as  the  result  of  its  deliberations  fully 
prove 

Among  the  delegates  representing  a  Penn- 
sylvania District  was  our  friend,  Stephen  Whip- 
ple. His  manly  bearing,  his  eloquence  and  his 
words  of  wisdom  made  a  profound  impression 
upon  his  hearers,  and  he  won  many  friends  in 
the  convention. 


THE  UPRISING  AND  RELIEF  51 

As  is  usual  in  such  bodies  resolution  after 
resolution  was  passed,  which  culminated  in  a 
Memorial  of  Grievances,  breathing  the  spirit  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence,  which  was  to 
be  laid  before  Congress  at  once.  A  committee 
of  one  hundred  was  appointed  to  discharge  this 
duty,  which  was  selected  with  great  care,  and 
was  composed  of  men  of  national  reputation. 
Stephen  Whipple  was  a  member  of  this  commit- 
tee. 

The  day  on  which  the  committee  were  to  meet 
in  Washington  had  arrived.  The  eyes  of  the 
nation  were  turned  in  that  direction.  A  meet- 
ing of  the  committee  was  held  and  a  plan  of 
action  outlined ;  the  best  speakers  and  men  of 
the  greatest  influence  were  selected  to  present 
the  Memorial  of  Grievances.  The  two  Houses 
of  Congress  met  in  joint  session,  and  unlimited 
time  and  opportunity  was  given  the  committee. 
The  galleries  were  packed  with  an  eager  and 
earnest  audience.  The  welfare  and  happiness 
of  a  great  nation  was  to  be  adjusted  and  set- 
tled. The  scene  was  of  thrilling  interest.  The 
auditor  was  reminded  of  the  critical  periods 
which  the  nation  had  passed  through  when  Pat- 
rick Henry,  Wendell  Phillips,  Daniel  Webster, 
Henry  Clay  and  others  had  manfully  battled  for 
the  rights  of  the  people.  Eloquent  were  the 
men  and  eloquent  were  the  speeches  that  were 
made  in  the  presentation  of  the  Memorial,  and 


52  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

none  more  masterly  and  eloquent  tlian  the  strong 
and  powerful  speech  made  by  the  young  orator, 
Stephen  Whipple.  He  seemed  inspired,  and 
Avith  his  keen  logic  and  masterful  presentation 
brought  conviction  to  his  hearers. 

After  the  committee  had  pei-f onned  its  work 
Congr(?ss  met  for  business  and  consideration  of 
the  Memorial.  As  a  result  of  its  action,  ^\^th- 
out  much  opposition,  an  amendment  to  the  Con- 
stitution of  the  United  States  was  passed  by  two- 
thirds  vote  of  both  houses,  giving  Congress 
power  to  abolish  and  dissolve  trusts,  monopolies, 
or  combinations  or  to  define,  regulate  and  pro- 
hibit them,  with  power  to  enforce  this  provision 
by  appropriate  legislation. 

Special  sessions  of  the  legislatures  of  the  dif- 
ferent States  were  immediately  called,  and  the 
amendment  was  at  once  ratified  by  more  than 
three-fourths  of  tJie  States,  the  required  number. 

A  law  w^as  then  passed  by  Congi-ess,  in  con- 
formity with  the  amendment,  which  was  far- 
reaching  and  drastic  in  its  character. 

The  machinery  of  the  law  was  then  set  in 
motion,  and  both  civil  proceedings  and  criminal 
prosecutions  were  instituted  against  the  hydra 
which  had  caused  so  much  unhappiness  and 
was  eating  the  vitals  of  the  nation. 

The  different  trusts  and  combinations  were 
alarmed.  Courts,  lawyers  and  technical  quib- 
bles did  not  come  to  their  rescue  as  of  yore. 


THE  UPRISING  AND  RELIEF  53 

The  shock  came  as  a  mighty  avalanche,  and  re- 
sistance was  in  vain ;  to  resist  was  to  excite  the 
frenzied  populace,  and  more  direful  results 
would  ensue.  The  monster  had  finally  to  suc- 
cumb to  the  inevitable.  The  mighty  voice  of 
the  people  had  been  heard  and  a  new  birth 
of  frejedom  had  been  established.  The  people 
breathed  a  purer  atmosphere ;  their  hearts  were 
at  rest ;  a  new  light  had  dawned  and  the  embers 
of  liberty  burned  anew.  "  Old  things  had 
passed  away,  all  things  had  become  new."  The 
merchant,  producer,  farmer,  laborer  and  the 
mass  of  the  people  were  filled  with  new  hope 
and  were  consequently  happy.  The  nation  had 
started  on  a  new  mission.  Individualism  was 
triumphant  and  man's  social  position  recog- 
nized. It  was  also  clearly  shown  that  the  peo- 
ple, when  an  emergency  arose,  could  rid  them- 
selves of  any  evil  which  threatened  their  na- 
tional existence. 


CHAPTER  X. 

AIT    ANGEL    OF    MERCY. 

On  a  cold  night  in  the  month  of  l^ovember, 
the  Fletcher  family,  after  partaking  of  a  sump- 
tuous dinner,  were  all  cosily  seated  in  the  sit- 
ting room,  surrounded  with  happiness  and  an 
air  of  self-satisfaction.  Mr.  Fletcher  was  read- 
ing the  evening  paper  and  enjoying  his  after- 
dinner  cigar.  His  wife  was  engaged  on  some 
embroidery  work,  his  two  eldest  daughters  were 
reading,  and  Lottie,  their  youngest,  was  playing 
some  modern  game  on  the  floor.  At  last  Lottie 
broke  the  peaceful  quiet  and  said : 

"  Papa,  where  is  Mr.  Whipple  ?  He  don't 
bring  me  any  more  chocolate  creams." 

"  He  is  out  of  the  city,  darling,"  replied  her 
father. 

"  I  presume  he  is  off  on  the  strikers'  busi- 
ness," interposed  the  mother. 

"  Yes,"  answered  her  husband,  "  and  I  guess 
he  will  get  enough  of  it ;  I  don't  understand  why 
Whipple  has  acted  as  he  has;  he  had  every 
chance  in  the  world  to  make  money  and  do  well ; 
but  he  has  thrown  it  all  away;  it  seems  to  me 
54 


AN  ANGEL  OF  MERCY  55 

he  lias  acted  strangely.  I  was  talking  vnth  his 
uncle  this  afternoon,  who  said  he  was  going  to 
give  his  collecting  business  to  another  agent, 
and  had  discharged  that  fellow  AiTQStrong, 
whom  Whipple  left,  to  look  after  his  matters 
while  he  was  absent;  he  also  said  that  Arm- 
strong had  a  very  sick  girl,  and  made  a  strong 
plea  to  collect  his  rents." 

At  this  point  Lucille,  who  had  been  a  quiet 
listener,  remarked,  "  I  don't  see  why  Mr.  Whip- 
ple has  acted  strangely.  He  is  honest  and  no 
doubt  sincere  in  the  course  he  has  taken.  He 
thinks  he  is  right  in  his  views  and  is  acting 
from  conviction." 

^^  Bosh  !  '  Right,'  '  honest,'  '  conviction ! ' 
Does  he  expect  to  revolutionize  society  ?  "  her 
father  replied. 

"  I  do  not  know  anything  about  that,"  an- 
swered Lucille,  "  but  from  what  I  can  learn  and 
from  what  I  read  something  must  be  done  to 
settle  the  workingmen's  troubles-  or  something 
more  terrible  may  happen." 

"  Oho !  You've  caught  it,  too,  have  you  ? 
You're  a  sympathizer,  are  you  ?  "  answered  her 
father. 

"  'No,  not  exactly,  but  I  must  confess  that  it 
touches  my  heart  to  see  the  distress  which 
grows  out  of  these  troubles.  Take  the  Anu- 
strong  case,  for  example,  and  there  are  thou- 
sands of  others  just  like  it,"  replied  Lucille. 


56  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

These  tender  words  and  the  manner  in  whicli 
they  Tvere  spoken  ended  tlie  conversation. 

That  night  Lucille  decided  in  her  own  mind 
that  she  would  call  on  the  Armstrongs  and  aid 
them  if  possible,  although,  she  reflected,  it  would 
not  please  her  father. 

The  following  day,  giving  as  an  excuse  that 
she  was  going  out  shopping,  in  which  she  told 
the  truth,  for  after  tliis  was  done  she  wended 
her  way  to  the  humble  home  of  William  Arm- 
strong. 

She  knocked  at  the  door  of  the  cottage,  and  a 
pale,  sad  face  answered  the  call  in  the  person  of 
Mrs.  Armstrong.  She  courteously  invited  her 
strange  visitor  to  step  in,  and  asked  her  to  be 
seated,  which  she  did.  The  room  was  small, 
with  only  a  few  articles  of  furniture,  an  ingrain 
carpet,  and  the  picture  of  the  Savior,  over 
which,  in  a  little  gilt  frame,  were  the  time- 
honored  words,  "  God  bless  our  home." 

Lucille  opened  the  conversation  by  introduc- 
ing herself  and  stating  that  she  presumed  that 
she  was  addressing  Mrs.  Armstrong,  who  re- 
plied that  she  was. 

"  I  presume,  Mrs.  Armstrong,"  said  Lucille, 
"  that  you  may  think  it  bold  in  a  stranger  to  call 
on  you,  but  I  came  to  see  if  I  can  be  of  any  as- 
sistance to  you  in  your  trouble.  I  have  heard 
with  sorrow  what  trials  you  have  been  through, 


AN  ANGEL  OF  MERCY  Z7 

and  I  felt  impelled,  as  a  duty,  to  call  ar-:'  zcr  'f 
I  can  aid  you." 

The  little  woman,  in  a  trembling  voice  and 
witli  tears  in  her  eyes  replied,  '^  Thank  you, 
thank  you.  Miss  Fletcher,  and  may  God  bless 
you  for  your  kindness  and  tJiouglitfulness." 
She  then  recited  in  a  simple  way  their  troubles 
and,  choking  with  sobs,  told  of  the  loss  of  their 
eldest  child  and  the  illness  of  Amelia.  She 
then  asked  Lucille  to  step  into  the  bedroom  and 
see  her  daughter  to  which  she  readily  complied, 
as  Lucille  was  anxious  to  see  the  face  which 
rumor  had  said  had  strongly  attracted  Mr. 
Whipple. 

At  a  glance  she  discovered  the  beautiful  ob- 
ject of  his  adoration  and  was  not  surprised  at 
Mr.  ^Vhipple's  taste.  Beauty  saw  its  counter- 
part in  beauty.  The  invalid  in  her  weakness 
was  charmed  witli  the  figure  which  stood  in  her 
presence.  Lucille's  queenly  form  and  angelic 
face  seemed  like  an  inspiration,  the  entrance 
of  a  heavenly  messenger.  After  a  formal  in- 
troduction and  a  few  soothing  words  on  the 
part  of  Lucille  our  visitor  left  the  chamber  of 
sickness. 

As  Lucille  was  about  to  depart  she  placed  in 
the  hands  of  Mrs.  Armstrong  a  small  purse,  ac- 
companied with  words  of  promised  aid.  Mrs. 
Armstrong,  at  first,  refused  to  accept  the  gift, 


58  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

but  Lucille  prevailed.     With  a  pleasant  good- 
bye our  visitor  took  her  departure. 

Again  a  new  joy  and  new  hope  had  entered 
the  Armstrong  household. 


CHAPTEE  XL 

A    ROYAL    WELCOME. 

On  his  return  from  Washington  Stephen 
Whipple  was  received  by  his  friends  with 
praise  and  congratulations.  He  at  once  re- 
paired to  the  house  of  his  uncle,  where  he  had 
made  his  home,  and  was  greeted  with  apparent 
pleasure  and  a  hearty  welcome.  But  he  saw  at 
once  that  a  change  had  taken  place  in  the  man- 
ner and  actions  of  his  uncle  towards  him.  His 
uncle  inwardly  felt  that  his  nephew  had  not 
only  been  ungrateful,  but  that  he  might  suffer 
a  pecuniary  loss  by  his  action  towards  the  Steel 
Company. 

In  a  few  days  young  Whipple  called  at  the 
Armstrong  home,  with  the  pretended  excuse  of 
seeing  Mr.  Armstrong  about  the  rents  of  the 
i  houses  with  which  he  was  left  in  charge, 
'"  whereas,  in  truth  and  in  fact,"  as  the  law^^ers 
say,  he  was  burning  with  anxiety  to  look  upon 
the  face  of  Amelia. 

He  found  the  family  at  home,  Mr.  Armstrong 
being  idle.  He  was  received  with  a  genuine, 
not  an  apparent  welcome.     He  saw  the  pale 

59 


6o  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

face  of  Amelia,  who  was  sitting  in  a  rockinf' 
chair  with  a  shawl  thrown  around  her  frail 
form.  He  then  learned  for  the  first  time  that 
his  uncle  had  discharged  Armstrong  and  that 
Amelia  had  heen  ill.  He  received  warm  con- 
gratulations for  the  work  that  he  had  done  in 
behalf  of  the  workingmen.  During  the  con- 
versation the  eyes  of  Amelia  and  young  Whipple 
m.et,  soul  attracted  soul,  and  \dsions  of  happi- 
ness flashed  through  the  minds  of  the  would-be 
lovers.  After  Mr.  Whipple  had  generously 
offered  his  services  to  the  family  he  withdrew. 

After  the  lapse  of  a  few  days  young  Whipple 
had  a  settlement  with  his  uncle  as  to  the  busi- 
ness with  which  he  had  been  entrusted,  and 
under  a  flimsy  excuse  he  secured  new  living 
quarters. 

At  a  meeting  of  citizens  it  was  decided  to 
give  a  public  reception  to  young  Whipple  at 
the  Avenue  Theater,  as  an  appreciation  of  the 
faithful  and  earnest  work  he  had  performed  at 
Chicago  and  Washington. 

On  the  evening  of  the  reception  a  large 
throng  of  people,  men  and  women,  filled  the 
theater,  which  was  beautifully  decorated  with 
flags  and  banners  and  presented  a  gala  appear- 
ance. 

His  uncle  and  aunt,  in  order  to  be  in  good 
taste,  and  not  to  create  talk  by  their  absence,  de- 
cided to  go  to  the  reception,  in  company  with 


A  ROYAL  WELCOME  6i 

Mrs.  Sturges,  their  only  daughter,  the  wife  of 
the^  cashier  in  Mr.  Whipple's  bank,  who  made 
their  home  with  Mr.  Whipple.  There  was  an- 
other person  who  was  anxious  to  be  present,  and 
fortune  favored  her,  and  Lucille  was  invited  by 
Mr.  Pierson,  a  warm  friend  of  young  Whipple. 
William  Armstrong,  with  his  wife  and  daugh- 
ter, were  also  present,  Amelia  having  recovered 
from  her  illness,  although  somewhat  weak. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  wait  on  young 
Whipple  at  his  home  and  escort  him  in  a  car- 
riage to  the  theater.  As  he  entered  the  stage 
the  band  played  "  Hail  to  the  Chief,"  and  the 
audience  arose  to  their  feet  and  plaudit  after 
plaudit  and  the  swinging  of  hats  and  handker- 
chiefs^ greeted  our  hero.  It  was  a  happy  mo- 
ment in  the  life  of  Stephen  Whipple.  He  was 
completely  taken  by  storm,  and  his  modest  na- 
ture was  nearly  overcome  by  the  excitement  pro- 
duced by  such  a  kindly  and  vociferous  welcome. 

An  address  of  welcome  was  delivered  by  a 
local  orator  who  in  an  eloquent  manner  re- 
capitulated the  services  of  young  Whipple  in 
behalf  of  the  workingmen  and  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  the  nation. 

Young  Whipple  in  a  modest  manner  re- 
sponded in  a  neat  and  finished  speech. 

After  the  band  had  played  a  national  an- 
them the  friends  of  young  Whipple  gathered 
around  him   and  with  kind  words  and  warm 


62  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

gi'asps  of  the  hand  expressed  their  feelings 
of  confidence  they  held  towards  him  with 
hearty  wishes  for  his  success.  The  reception 
was  over  and  Stephen  Whipple  was  the  ''  lion 
of  the  day."  He  suhsequently  became  the  ju- 
nior member  of  the  law  firm  of  Perkins  &  Per- 
kins, and  their  business,  with  Mr.  Whipple  as 
a  partner,  became  a  lucrative  one. 

The  Steel  Company,  under  a  new  manage- 
ment and  new  conditions,  resumed  operations 
and  W^illiani  Armstrong  returned  to  his  em- 
ployment. 


CHAPTEE  XII 

THE    REWARD    OF    HONOR. 

The  industrial  problem  having  been  peace- 
fully settled  the  persons  with  Avhom  we  have 
been  dealing  were  consequently  happy  with  a 
few  exceptions,  in  their  several  spheres. 

Stephen  Whipple  grew  rapidly  in  his  pro- 
fession and  in  reputation  and  was  highly  es- 
teemed by  those  with  whom  he  came  in  con- 
tact. He  took  great  interest  in  matters  of  a 
public  nature,  whether  political  or  philan- 
thropic, and  became  a  leader  among  his  fellow 
citizens.  He  cared  little  for  society  and  was 
very  seldom  seen  at  social  gatherings  among 
what  is  known  as  the  "  upper  classes."  He 
was  a  frequent  visitor  at  the  Armstrong  home 
and  his  relations  towards  Amelia  were  of  an 
affectionate  nature  and  he  became  a  full-fledged 
lover,  which  was  no  secret  to  his  personal 
friends.  Amelia  was  as  ardent  in  her  affections 
for  Mr.  Whipple.  Each  saw  in  the  other  the 
ideal  they  had  no  doubt  pictured  in  their  imag- 
inations. The  late  disturbance  in  industrial 
matters,  and  the  social  environments  of  these 


64  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

young  people  had  tended  largely  to  place  them 
in  their  present  attitude  towards  each  other 
and  hurried  them  on  to  a  '^  consummation  de- 
voutly to  be  wished."  Their  minds  were  a  unit 
on  the  social  conditions  of  the  people  and  their 
s_"vmipatliies  worked  in  harmony  for  the  uplifting 
of  humanity  and  the  betterment  of  the  race. 
These  young  lives  were  noble  in  their  aspira- 
tions and  elevating  in  their  influence  and  shed 
a  ray  of  sunshine  in  the  circle  in  which  they 
moved.  AVhat  a  picture  of  unselfishness  and 
worthy  of  example !  What  a  Utopia  this  world 
would  be  if  the  rising  generation  would  follow 
in  the  footsteps  of  our  young  friends.  How 
care,  sorrow,  distress  and  poverty  would  vanish 
from  the  face  of  the  earth  if  a  Christ-like  sym- 
pathy and  the  kinship  of  love  possessed  the 
hearts  of  men !  The  day  is  dawning  in  which 
these  things  will  come  to  pass.  God  reigTis  and 
his  reign  is  one  of  justice  as  well  as  of  love. 

The  year  of  1902  was  an  eventful  one  in  the 
life  of  young  Whipple.  It  was  an  eventful  one 
in  the  history  of  the  nation  in  her  rapid  strides 
towards  prosperity  and  the  happiness  of  the 
people.  It  was  Congressional  year  when  mem- 
bers were  to  be  elected  in  the  different  states 
to  represent  the  people  in  the  councils  of  the 
nation.  As  the  time  approached  keen  eyed  pol- 
itician.<^  were  looking  about  for  available  men 
to  fill  these  places.     The  Pittsburg  district  was 


THE  REWARD  OF  HONOR  65 

on  the  lookout  for  a  member.  At  first  whis- 
perings of  the  name  of  Whipple  were  heard 
which  grew  into  a  general  demand  for  his  can- 
didacy. The  working  classes  would  not  listen 
to  any  other  name.  It  was  the  synonym  for 
success  and  grew  like  a  torrent,  overwhelming 
all  opposition,  which  was  very  weak.  As  the 
day  drew  near  his  friends  worked  earnestly  for 
the  selection  of  delegates  in  the  interest  of 
Whipple  and  they  were  elected.  In  the  State 
convention  which  followed  he  met  with  no  oppo- 
sition and  was  unanimously  nominated. 

The  fall  election  was  an  exciting  one.  There 
were  but  two  parties  in  the  field.  The  fair 
sex  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  result  as  Stephen 
Whipple  was  their  idol,  and  while  they  could 
not  vote^  yet  their  influence  had  an  important 
bearing  on  the  election.  When  the  votes  were 
counted  young  Whipple  was  elected  a  Kepub- 
lican  Congressman  by  the  old-timed  majority. 
An  enthusiastic  ratification  meeting  was  given 
in  his  honor  and  a  new  career  opened  for  our 
hero. 

Circumstances  would  not  permit  of  his  mar- 
riage to  the  one  he  adored  and  he  postponed  that 
event  to  a  more  convenient  season.  He  took 
his  departure  for  Washington  to  discharge  the 
duties  which  he  was  so  honorably  elected  to 
fill,  where  we  take  our  leave  of  him  for  the 
present. 


CHAPTEE  XIII 

HERO    MEETS    HERO. 

"No  man  took  his  seat  in  Congress  under 
more  favorable  auspices  than  did  our  friend  Ste- 
phen Whipple.  He  had  brilliant  prospects  be- 
fore him  and  a  host  of  warm  friends  at  his 
back. 

On  reaching  Washington  he  secured  modest 
apartments,  as  his  means  were  limited,  and  he 
was  a  comparative  stranger.  He  was  person- 
ally acquainted  with  Senator  Depew,  who  took 
pleasure  in  introducing  him  to  some  of  the 
members  of  the  House. 

During  the  first  few  weeks  of  the  session 
of  Congress  he  remained  to  all  appearances  idle, 
but  was  observant  as  to  all  that  was  taking 
place.  His  pleasant  face  and  retiring  disposi- 
tion won  him  many  friends  and  he  soon  be- 
came at  ease  in  his  new  position.  He  was 
placed  on  the  Labor  committee,  as  well  as  on 
others,  but  the  work  in  the  interest  of  labor 
was  the  most  congenial  to  his  taste  and  for  the 
development  of  his  thought  on  that  subject. 
He  was  untiring,  industrious  and  earnest  in 
66 


HERO  MEETS  HERO  67 

his  work,  which  was  noticeable  by  his  fellow- 
members.  He  rarely  arose  to  his  feet  on  the 
floor,  biit  when  occasion  required  that  he  should 
do  so.  He  commanded  close  attention  when  he 
spoke  and  the  members  saw  in  him  qualities 
which  foreshadowed  the  coming  man.  He  grew 
rapidly  and  his  industry  and  studiousness  and 
withal  his  eloquence  and  masterly  presentation 
of  a  question  placed  him  in  the  front  ranks 
and  he  became  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  party. 

Sitting  in  his  room  one  evening  looking  over 
the  report  of  the  Industrial  Commission  a  knock 
was  heard  at  his  door  and  the  porter  announced 
that  a  soldier  wished  to  see  Mr.  Whipple.  He 
told  the  porter  to  show  him  up.  In  a  few 
moments  there  appeared  a  tall  young  man  in 
uniform  wearing  the  stripes  of  a  sergeant.  Mr. 
Whipple  bade  him  to  be  seated  and  said: 

"Whom  have  I  the  pleasure  of  meeting?" 

The  young  sergeant  replied,  •"'  I  am  generally 
known  as  Dick  Johnson.  I  have  not  had  the 
pleasure  of  personally  meeting  you  before,  Mr. 
Whipple,  but  I  heard  you  make  a  speech  in 
Pittsburg  at  the  workingmen's  meeting  during 
the  big  strike,  and  have  learned  that  you  got  into 
Congress." 

"Where  have  you  been  since  then?"  said 
Whipple.  "  What  department  of  the  army  are 
you  serving  in  ?  " 


68  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

"  I  have  just  come  from  the  Philippines  on 
a  leave  of   absence,"   replied   Johnson. 

'^  What !  Are  you  the  Dick  Johnson  that 
the  papers  are  talking  so  much  about;  the  man 
that  made  that  bold  dash  among  the  insurgents 
and  procured  the  escape  of  our  prisoners  ? " 
asked  Wliipple. 

"  I  guess  I  am  the  same  man/'  modestly  re- 
plied Johnson. 

"  Well,  I  declare,  sergeant,  I  am  more  than 
pleased  to  meet  you,"  and  Whipple  arose  and 
warmly  grasped  him  by  the  hand,  and  said : 

"  What  can  I  do  for  you  ?  There  is  nothing 
too  good  for  you.  I  will  be  pleased  to  do  any- 
thing for  you  I  can.  Call  and  see  me  again  or 
call  around  to  the  House,  where  I  shall  be 
pleased  to  meet  you." 

With  this  the  sergeant  withdrew. 

On  the  departure  of  Johnson,  Mr.  Whipple 
decided  in  his  own  mind  that  he  would  see 
the  President  and,  if  possible,  procure  the  pro- 
motion of  the  sergeant. 

This  is  the  first  appearance  of  young  Johnson 
since  his  discharge  from  arrest  for  complicity  in 
the  burning  of  the  steel  works  in  Pittsburg. 
He  suddenly  disappeared  after  that  event.  The 
death  of  Lucy  Armstrong  and  being  without 
employment  so  discouraged  him  that  he  left 
Pittsburg  and  drifted  to  Philadelphia  where 
he  enlisted  and  was  ordered  to  tlie  Philippines 


HERO  MEETS  HERO  69 

and  became  a  member  of  Captain  Edmunds^ 
company  in  the  33rd  U.  S.  Volunteers.  His 
genial  disposition,  manly  bearing  and  his  brav- 
ery made  him  a  favorite  with  his  officers  and 
companions  in  arms.  After  going  through  se- 
vere trials  and  dangers  he  was  promoted  to  a 
serge  antcy. 

A  desperate  engagement  took  place  between 
his  company  and  a  party  of  Filipinos  under 
Caballos,  an  insurgent  leader,  in  the  Batangas 
province;  it  was  a  life  and  death  struggle  be- 
tween well-equipped  soldiers  and  bolomen,  with 
the  odds  in  favor  of  the  latter.  As  a  result  of 
the  conflict  many  were  killed  and  wounded  on 
both  sides  and  the  Filipinos  escaped  but  had 
taken  as  prisoners  about  twenty  men  of  John- 
son's company.  Capt.  Edmunds  and  his  lieu- 
tenants had  botli  been  killed  in  the  fight  and 
the  command  of  the  company  fell  to  the  lot  of 
Johnson. 

After  a  Easty  conference  it  was  decided  to 
retake  the  prisoners  who  had  fallen  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy,  as  delay  meant  certain 
death  for  their  comrades.  The  Filipino  camp 
was  about  a  mile  from  where  the  struggle  had 
taken  place,  where  no  doubt  the  enemy  had  re- 
treated. Sergeant  Johnson  gave  orders  to  move 
the  next  morning  at  daylight  with  the  remnant 
of  his  band,  numbering  about  twenty-five  men. 
Between  them  and  their  destination  was  a  rapid 


70  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

stream  about  fifty  yards  wide  with  a  depth  of 
about  four  feet.  As  our  heroes  steal tliily  ap- 
proached the  stream  they  discerned  the  camp 
on  the  opposite  shore  on  which  stood  a  bamboo 
hut  where  no  doubt  their  comrades  were  im- 
prisoned. There  was  no  stir  of  life  in  the 
camp,  and  the  sergeant  felt  that  by  proper  strat- 
egy he  could  taJ^e  the  enemy  unawares.  His 
men  under  his  leadership  entered  the  stream  up 
to  their  waists,  keeping  closely  together;  as 
they  approached  the  shore  they  were  discovered 
by  a  Filipino,  acting  as  a  sentinel,  and  the 
alarm  was  given  by  him  in  a  loud  shriek ;  in  an 
instant  about  fifty  men  emerged  from  the  hut 
and  with  yells  and  unutterable  sounds  made  a 
bold  dash  for  Johnson  and  his  little  party;  the 
sergeant  ordered  his  men  to  fire  and  volley  after 
volley  was  poured  into  the  confused  ranks  of 
the  enemy ;  the  Filipinos  with  bolos  in  their  up- 
lifted hands  made  a  bold  break  for  the  little 
band  and  a  desperate  struggle  took  place  in  tlie 
water.  A  tall  Filipino,  recognizing  the  ser- 
geant as  a  leader,  made  a  savage  assault  upon 
him  with  his  bolo  and  stabbed  him  in  several 
places,  but  the  sergeant  was  equal  in  strength 
and  courage  to  his  opponent  and  held  his  own 
manfully,  and  with  the  dagger  which  he  carried 
with  him  he  inflicted  a  mortal  wound  in  the 
neck  of  the  boloman,  severing  his  jugular  vein, 
and  he  sank  lifeless   in  the  water.     Similar 


HERO  MEETS  HERO  7i 

struggles  were  taking  place  around  our  hero 
with  nearly  the  same  result,  the  river  being 
crimsoned  with  blood.  The  sergeant  rallied  his 
surviving  men  and  made  a  desperate  charge 
on  the  remaining  Filipinos,  who  fled  and  left 
him  in  possession  of  the  camp. 

He  found  the  prisoners,  his  comrades,  in  the 
bamboo  hut,  whom  he  at  once  released.  They 
showered  thanksgiving  and  praise  upon  the  ser- 
geant and  his  little  band  for  their  miraculous 
escape. 

The  sergeant  and  his  surviving  men,  about 
ten  in  number,  who  took  part  in  the  relief  of 
their  comrades  were  more  or  less  wounded. 
The  sergeant  suffered  the  most  severely,  having 
no  less  than  ten  bad  cuts,  but  as  fortune  would 
have  it,  not  in  any  vital  part  of  his  body,  but 
he  grew  very  weak  from  the  loss  of  blood. 

With  a  sad  farewell  to  tliose  who  lost  their 
lives  our  heroic  band  moved  slowly  and  with 
weakened  steps  towards  the  American  camp. 

After  arriving  at  the  camp  the  sergeant  suf- 
fered much  on  account  of  his  wounds  and  was 
advised  to  go  to  Manila  and  receive  treatment 
in  the  hospital,  which  he  did.  After  remaining 
there  several  w^eks,  and  had  nearly  recov- 
ered, he  was  granted  a  leave  of  absence  to  visit 
his  home  in  Pittsburg;  and  on  his  way  there 
he  made  the  call  on  Mr.  Whipple  which  we  have 
mentioned. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

A  hero's  promotion  and  reception. 

After  the  interview  which  took  place  in  our 
last  chapter,  Mr.  Wliipple  called  on  the  Presi- 
dent and  in  glowing  terms  presented  tlie  case  of 
Sergeant  Johnson  and  asked  for  his  promotion. 

An  appointment  was  made  in  which  the  Pres- 
ident could  personally  meet  our  young  hero.  On 
the  day  set  the  sergeant  was  presented  to  the 
Chief  Magistrate.  His  modest  appearance  and 
soldierly  bearing  w^on  the  heart  of  the  chief. 
After  the  conversation  and  the  presentation  of 
his  credentials,  recommending  the  promotion  of 
the  sergeant,  the  President  honored  him  with  a 
captaincy  of  his  company  in  the  33rd  United 
States  Volunteers,  as  there  was  no  commissioned 
officers  left  at  the  head  of  tlie  company  and  a 
vacancy  existed.  The  President  warmly  thank- 
ed him  on  behalf  of  the  Government  and  wished 
him  success  in  his  new  position. 

On  leaving  the  President  in  company  with 

Mr.  Whipple,  whom  he  thanked  for  his  kindness, 

he  at  once  repaired  to  a  tailoring  establishment 

and  purchased  a  bright  new  uniform  and  shoul- 
72 


A  HERO'S  PROMOTION  73 

derstraps,  and  decked  as  a  full-fledged  captain 
he  made  preparations  for  his  trip  to  Pittsburg. 
On  his  arrival  in  that  city  he  was  the  cynosure 
of  all  eyes  and  the  people  stared  at  him  and 
wondered  who  he  was. 

He  made  his  way  at  once  to  the  Armstrong 
home,  arriving  there  in  the  evening  when  all  the 
family  were  together.  His  reception  was  warm 
and  cordial,  and  he  was  showered  with  praises 
for  the  honor  and  glory  he  had  won.  While  he 
apparently  took  part  in  the  joy  his  coming  had 
produced,  yet  his  heart  was  saddened  as  his 
memory  revived  the  past,  and  in  dreamy  silence 
he  imagined  that  the  angelic  spirit  of  Lucy 
Armstrong  was   in  their  midst. 

Subsequently  a  committee  of  citizens  waited 
on  him  and  tendered  him  a  public  reception,  to 
be  held  at  the  Avenue  theatre  the  following 
week.  ^  He  at  first  modestly  refused,  but  the 
committee  were  so  persistent  that  he  was  com- 
pelled to  comply  with  their  wishes. 

It  was  a  proud  moment  for  Captain  Johnson 
as  he  stood  at  the  right  hand  of  the  Mayor  of 
Pittsburg  receiving  the  congratulations  of  his 
to^^Tismen  upon  the  acts  of  valor  which  had  won 
him  the  plaudits  of  his  country  and  made  him 
the  recipient  of  many  honors,  chief  among  which 
was  the  reception  tendered  him  by  the  Mayor 
and  citizens  upon  his  return  home. 

A  group  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  approached 


74  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

the  raised  platfoiTa  upon  which  the  young  hero 
and  party  stood  to  extend  their  congratulations 
and  among  them  he  recognized  tlie  fair  Lucille. 
Formal  presentations  were  made  and  excusing 
himself  to  the  Mayor  and  party  Captain  John- 
son asked  the  pleasure  of  a  promenade  and 
dance  (which  had  been  aiTanged)  with  Miss 
Fletcher.  Blushingly  and  with  a  deprecating 
glance  at  her  father,  who  stood  tugging  at  his 
grey  mustache  and  looking  as  though  he  hardly 
relished  the  turn  affairs  were  taking,  the  fair 
girl  accepted  the  proffered  arm  of  her  escort 
and  walked  down  the  length  of  the  long  room, 
the  cynosure  of  all  eyes.  Strange  pair !  The 
child  of  the  people  lifted  to  his  present  position 
by  his  owTi  brave  deeds,  and  the  child  of  plutoc- 
racy occupying  her  position  in  society  by  rea- 
son of  her  father's  w^ealth.  But  they  were  fit 
mates.  He  w^th  his  kind,  manly  bearing;  she 
with  her  wealth  of  womanly  beauty. 

It  must  be  confessed  Lucille  feared  that  the 
personal  meeting  would  destroy  much  of  the 
romance  she  had  woven  about  the  young  soldier, 
but  as  they  strolled  into  the  ante-room  and 
finding  a  sheltered  nook  sat  down  for  a  short 
conversation,  she  felt  a  mild  surprise  that  this 
young  man  seemed  a  very  little  different  from 
the  young  men  of  her  own  set  and  that  slight 
difference  was  all  to  his  credit.  His  narration 
of  life  in  the  Philippines  proved  so  interesting 


A  HERO'S  PROMOTION  75 

before  she  arose  to  join  tlie  dancers,  she  had 
asked  the  young  man  to  call  at  her  home  the 
following  evening  and  continue  the  tete-a-tete 
she  felt  she  must  now  bring  to  a  close.  Lucille 
was  an  ardent  lover  of  terpsichore  and  it  was 
with  a  thrill  of  strange  delight  she  recognized  a 
kindred  love  as  they  floated  off  to  the  strain  of 
a  Strauss  waltz,  for  Captain  Johnson  loved 
dancing  as  well  as  Miss  Fletcher  and  was  nearly 
as  finished  a  dancer. 

On  the  next  evening  at  the  appointed  hour 
Captain  Johnson  made  his  way  to  the  Fletcher 
home,  where  he  had  been  invited  by  the  fair 
Lucille.  This  was  a  new  experience  to  him 
and  far  different  from  his  former  associations. 

As  he  rang  the  door  bell  a  servant  waited  on 
him ;  lie  gave  his  name ;  enquired  for  Miss  Lu- 
cille and  was  ushered  into  the  parlor,  and  was 
dazzled  with  the  splendor  and  the  beauty  of 
the  room  and  its  furnishings;  his  own  bright 
uniform  adding  to  the  picture.  In  a  few  mo- 
ments the  queenly  brunette  appeared  and  cor- 
dially greeted  him  with  a  warm  grasp  of  her 
delicate  hand,  and  without  fonnality  entered 
into  conversation  vrith  him.  At  that  moment 
Mr.  Fletcher  in  company  with  his  wife  passed 
the  parlor  door  and  was  at  once  hailed  by  his 
daughter;  husband  and  wife  botli  entered  the 
room  and  were  both  introduced  to  Captain  John- 
son as  the  "  hero  whom  we  have  heard  so  much 


y6  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

about."  After  a  brief  conversation  Mr.  Fletch- 
er excused  himself  as  he  had  an  engagement, 
and  both  he  and  his  wife  withdrew  and  the 
young  people  were  left  alone. 

They  talked  of  passing  events,  the  misfor- 
tunes of  the  Armstrongs  and  tlie  sudden  rise  of 
Stephen  Whipple,  whom  the  Captain  extolled 
in  the  highest  terms  and  in  particular  spoke 
of  his  kindness  to  him. 

The  conversation  drifted  to  the  Captain  him- 
self and  his  experience  in  the  Philippines.  As 
he  in  a  modest  but  graphic  manner  detailed  the 
story  of  his  military  exploits,  "  of  hairbreadth 
escapes  i'  th'  imminent  deadly  breach  "  Lucille 
was  fascinated  and  Desdemona-like  inwardly 
"  wished  that  Heaven  had  made  her  such  a 
man,"  and  when  he  had  finished  gave  for  his 
pains  "  a  world  of  sighs."  During  the  narra- 
tive she  sat  as  one  spell-bound  and  like  an  arrow 
it  had  pierced  her  very  being.  After  some  des- 
ultory talk  he  said  he  must  take  his  leave,  but 
she  urged  him  to  stay  a  little  longer.  He  finally 
departed  with  a  warm  good-night,  with  an  ur- 
gent request  from  Lucille  to  call  again,  which 
he  did  not  fail  to  do. 

He  became  a  frequent  visitor  to  the  Fletcher 
mansion,  and  chaperoned  Lucille  to  balls,  par- 
ties, theatres  and  other  places  of  amusement, 
and  gossip  had  a  new  victim  to  add  to  her  tro- 
phies.    He    was    frequently    invited    by    Mr. 


A  HERO'S  PROMOTION  77 

Fletcher  to  call  at  his  office,  where  he  spent 
many  a  pleasant  hour.  His  sterling  qualities 
and  manly  bearing  attracted  the  notice  of  Mr. 
Fletcher,  who  took  a  deep  interest  in  his  wel- 
fare, arising  no  doubt  from  the  Captain's  inti- 
macy with  his  daughter. 

The  old,  old  story  was  repeated  in  the  lives 
of  our  young  friends;  they  became  lovers  and 
"  love's  young  dream  "  filled  their  souls.  The 
Captain  asked  the  elder  people  for  the  hand  of 
their  daughter,  which  they  granted  with  a  fath- 
er's and  mother's  blessing.  An  engagement  fol- 
lowed and  the  hearts  of  the  lovers  were  bound 
in  eternal  loyalty  and  faith. 

The  prospect  of  the  Philippine  war  coming  to 
an  end  led  to  the  reduction  of  the  army  and 
Captain  Johnson  returned  to  civil  life. 


CHAPTEE  XV 

A    NEW    FACE    APPEAES. 

Tn  the  year  1867  a  young  man  about  twenty 
years  of  age,  whom  for  the  present  we  shall  call 

Sylvester ,  found  himself  in  'New  York 

City,  whither  he  had  wandered  in  search  of  his 
fortune. 

He  was  tlie  son  of  respectable  parents  who 
lived  about  twenty  miles  from  Syracuse  and 
were  engaged  in  farming. 

He  helped  his  father  in  working  on  the  farm 
in  the  summer  months  and  during  winter  he 
attended  school  and  had  acquired  a  good  com- 
mon school  education.  But  farming  was  not 
to  his  taste  and  being  of  a  speculative  turn  of 
mind  and  his  mind  being  filled  with  the  no- 
tion that  the  acquisition  of  money  was  the  sole 
object  of  life  he  decided  that  when  an  oppor- 
tunity presented  itself  he  would  go  to  the  me- 
tropolis of  the  world  and  take  his  chances  in  the 
search  for  wealth. 

The  opportunity  came  and  with  his  little  sav- 
ings he  found  himself  in  a  great  city  swarming 
78 


A  NEW  FACE  APPEARS  79 

with  human  beings  and  bustling  with  life  and 
excitement. 

He  did  not  know  whidi  way  to  turn ;  he  knew 
no  one  there,  and  his  heart  sank  within  him 
and  he  often  wished  that  he  was  back  on  the 
old  farm. 

He  took  cheap  lodgings  near  the  depot  and 
the  day  following  his  aiTival  he  started  out  in 
search  of  a  situation. 

After  wandering  from  street  to  street,  he  had 
reached  Wall  Street,  although  he  was  not  aware 
of  the  fact,  and  his  eye  was  attracted  to  the  sign 
"  Crosby  &  Son,  Brokers."  He  decided  to  risk 
the  chance  of  entering  and  enquiring  for  work. 
The  office  was  on  the  first  floor  and  was  finely 
furnished  and  clerks  were  here  and  there  busy 
at  their  desks  and  messengers  entering  and  de- 
parting. 

Sylvester  approached  an  elderly  gentleman, 
who  happened  to  be  Crosby  Sr.,  who  was  busily 
engaged  in  wi'iting,  and  respectfully  asked  for 
employment.  The  gentleman  looked  up  and 
saw  a  face  which  showed  a  strong  character  and 
had  a  keen  penetrating  eye.  Mr.  Crosby  said 
he  did  not  know  just  then  of  anything  that  they 
had  for  him,  but  after  listening  to  the  applicant, 
he  stated  that  one  of  their  messengers  was  going 
away  in  a  few  weeks  and  that  if  he  could  fa- 
niiliarize  himself  with  his  work  he  could  have 
his  place.     This  Sylvester  assured  Mr.  Crosby 


So  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

he  could.  The  "  breaking  in "  process  took 
place  and  Sylvester  became  a  messenger  for 
Crosby  &  Son. 

He  grew  in  favor  with  his  employers ;  he  was 
prompt,  methodical  and  witlial  temperate;  he 
said  little  except  when  necessary,  and  was  not 
inclined  to  join  in  the  social  pleasures  of  the 
other  employees  in  the  office ;  he  attended  strict- 
ly to  business,  which  fact  was  noticeable  to  his 
employers;  he  was  no  spendthrift,  but  was 
strongly  charged  with  being  parsimonious ;  he 
was  promoted  from  time  to  time  until  he  be- 
came so  valuable  that  the  firm  could  not  dis- 
pense with  his  services. 

After  remaining^  with  Crosby  &  Son  about 
seven  years,  a  dissolution  of  the  firm  took  place, 
the  senior  Crosby  retiring  on  account  of  age 
and  ill-health  and  Sylvester  became  a  partner 

in  the  new  firm  of  Crosby  &  .     He 

commenced  an  almost  phenomenal  career  under 
the  new  firm.  His  shrewdness  and  financial 
ability  made  him  a  recognized  authority  on  the 
Stock  Exchange  and  fortunes  were  made  and 
lost  at  his  mere  nod  and  beck.  His  passion  for 
money-making  became  a  mania,  and  his  passion 
was  partly  gratified,  for  at  the  age  of  thirty  he 
was  a  millionaire.  His  habits  and  tastes  were 
simple  and  he  was  seldom  seen  at  the  clubs  or 
other  social  gatherings  where  brokers  are  wont 


A  NEW  FACE  APPEARS  8i 

to  attend.  Thrift  and  economy  were  his  guid- 
ing principles. 

Among  the  customers  for  whom  the  firm  did 
business  was  a  Mrs.  Florence  Palmer,  a  young 
widow  of  charming  grace  and  sweetness.  She 
had  transacted  her  business  and  made  her  in- 
vestments exclusively  through  Sylvester,  as  we 
shall  call  him,  and  owing  to  his  tact  and  shrewd- 
ness she  became  possessed  of  quite  a  fortune. 
She  treated  him  as  a  friend  and  was  under 
many  obligations  to  him  for  the  manner  in 
which  he  had  invested  her  money.  Knowing 
that  he  was  a  bachelor  she  took  occasion  to 
invite  him  to  her  home  on  tbe  Hudson,  where 
he  spent  apparently  many  pleasant  hours.  Her 
family  consisted  of  herself  and  her  little  daugh- 
ter Charlotte,  about  four  years  of  age  (who  was 
called  ^^  Lottie"),  exclusive  of  the  servants. 

Mrs.  Palmer  was  an  exceptional  woman ;  her 
Christian  virtues  and  graceful  manner  were 
winning  and  attractive;  she  shed  a  ray  of  sun- 
light in  her  home  and  she  seemed  contented  and 
happy,  notwithstanding  the  loss  of  her  husband, 
whom  she  loved  while  living  and  whose  memory 
she  fondly  cherished.  Sylvester's  visits  culmi- 
nated in  an  engagement,  which  was  followed  by 
marriage  with  Mrs.  Palmer ;  the  husband  form- 
ing this  alliance  purely  from  a  business  stand- 
point, love  having  no  share  in  the  matter,  as  far 
as  he  Was  concerned. 


82  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

For  several  weeks  after  tlio  marriage  every- 
thing passed  off  smoothly,  but  an  observer  could 
see  at  a  glance  that  the  couple  were  mismated 
and  that  their  tastes  were  diametrically  opposed 
to  each  other;  she  was  gentle,  affectionate  and 
trusting;  an  ivy  clinging  to  a  sturdy  oak  which 
would  not  respond;  he,  reserv-ed,  taciturn  and 
silent,  meditating  on  business  and  finance.  Ex- 
cept on  a  few  occasions  shortly  after  their  mar- 
riage he  refused  to  accompany  his  wife  to  her 
church  or  social  gatherings  and  spent  his  even- 
ings on  financial  schemes  and  figures;  he  be- 
came niggardly  in  household  and  other  expenses 
for  the  family.  While  the  wife  made  no  com- 
plaint^ yet  inwardly  she  was  disappointed  and 
a  shadow  hung  over  her  home ;  she  bore  her  lot 
with  Christian  resignation  and  made  the  best 
of  a  bad  bargain. 

A  son  was  bom  which  gave  new  hope  to  the 
mother  that  a  new  light  might  illumine  the 
household  and  change  the  dark  and  gloomy  past ; 
but  no  change  for  the  better  came  and  sor- 
row rankled  in  the  bosom  of  the  grief -stricken 
wife.  She  was  pining  and  dying  for  Heaven's 
choicest  blessing.  Love.  One,  two,  three  years 
rolled  by  and  conditions  had  not  changed.  The 
wife  found  her  only  solace  in  her  children,  who 
were  her  only  hope^  and  softened  and  assuaged 


A  NEW  FACE  APPEARS  83 

the  grief  under  which  she  was  laboring;  the 
bow  of  misfortune  had  another  dart  which  was 
to  bring  pain  and  sorrow  to  this  stricken  soul. 
It  came  as  follows:     Her  daughter  Lottie  and 
baby  boy  were  playing  on  the  shore  of  the  river 
which  was  only  a  few  rods  from  the  house ;  the 
boy  was  running  up  and  down  a  pier  in  play- 
ful mood,  and  Lottie  to  protect  him  from  dan- 
ger as  he  approached  the  edge  of  the  pier  ran 
to  catch  him,  missed  her  footing  and  fell  off 
the  pier  into  the  wat^r,  which  was  from  eight  to 
ten  feet  deep;  the  cries  of  Lottie  and  the  boy 
attracted  the  attention  of  Mrs.  Emerson,  the 
housekeeper,    and   tlie   gardener,    who    flew   to 
the  pier,  but  too  late,  as  Lottie  had  sunk  and 
was  not  to  be  seen.     Mrs.  Emerson  and  the  gar- 
dener were   hoiTified;   the  gardener  recovered 
the  body,  but  all  efforts  of  resuscitation  were  of 
no  avail ;  the  lifeless  form  was  laid  in  her  little 
bed  awaiting  the  coming  of  its  mother  who  was 
visiting  at  a  neighbor's  and  who  had  been  sent 
for;  the  scene  which  took  place  as  the  broken- 
hearted mother  wrapped   in  her  embrace  tlie 
dead   body  of  her   child   beggars   description; 
while  she  loved  her  boy,  she  now  felt  as  if  the 
last  prop   in  life   had  been  taken   from  her; 
word  was  at  once  sent  to  the  city  for  her  husband 
who  was  acquainted  ^vith  the  calamity  which 
had  befallen  his  family;  on  his  arrival  at  his 


84  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

home,  Yv^hile  lie  expressed  an  unfeeling  regret, 
he  was  unable  or  incapable  of  affording  any 
consolation  to  his  wife  in  her  bereavement 

As  a  stricken  doe,  wounded  by  the  cruel  bul- 
let of  the  hunter,  hies  to  a  secluded  nook  to 
die,  so  tliis  so-called  wife  and  mother  retired 
from  the  world  and  society  and  fed  upon  her 
grief  and  with  Christian  hope  and  fortitude  she 
caught  a  glimpse  of  a  world  beyond,  where 
grief  and  sorrow  are  never  known. 

Her  health  began  to  fail,  which  had  not  been 
good  since  the  birth  of  her  son;  she  was  finally 
compelled  to  take  to  her  bed  and  was  placed 
in  charge  of  Dr.  Hurlbut  of  ]^ew  York  City,  a 
physician  of  eminence,  who  did  all  that  medi- 
cal skill  could  do  in  the  restoration  of  her 
health.  But  in  vain.  Her  grief  and  sorrow 
bore  like  a  hea\y  weight  and  prevented  nature 
from  reviving  her  weakened  body.  She  died 
with  no  one  present  except  Mrs.  Emerson  and 
her  boy.  Before  expiring  she  took  the  little 
child  in  her  arms  and  pressed  upon  his  lips  a 
mother's  dying  kiss,  witli  a  request  to  her  house- 
keeper to  be  good  and  kind  to  him,  which  her 
faithful  servant  in  tears  and  sobs  promised  to 
do.  Thus  passed  away  another  beautiful  soul, 
a  victim  to  man's  cruel  treatment  and  coldness 
in  love.  She  entered  into  a  new  life  of  immor- 
tality and  rest  and  as  the  portals  of  heaven 
opened  she  was  received  with  open  arms  by  her 


A  NEW  FACE  APPEARS  85 

angel  daughter  Lottie,  and  wafted  to  a  region 
of  eternal  bliss.  Her  remains  were  placed  in  a 
beautiful  cemetery,  beside  those  of  her  daugh- 
ter, on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  where  the 
feathered  songsters  are  melodiously  chanting 
the  requiem  of  the  dead. 


CHAPTEE  XVI 

TRAGEDY    AND    DEATH. 

The  death  of  his  wife  did  not  seem  to  pro- 
duce a  revolution  in  the  feelings  of  Sylvester. 
He  treated  it  as  a  commonplace  affair  and  as 
a  passing  dream  and  looked  at  it  as  he  would 
a  business  affair  and  from  a  purely  material 
standpoint. 

His  wife  left  a  considerable  fortune,  and 
there  being  no  will,  their  son,  under  the  law, 
became  the  sole  heir.  Sylvester's  conduct  con- 
tinued the  same  as  before  his  wife's  death;  he 
showed  but  little  affection  for  his  son,  who  was 
solely  under  the  care  of  Mrs.  Emerson,  who 
carried  out  faithfully  her  promise  made  to  his 
mother  on  her  dying  bed  that  she  would  be  kind 
and  good  to  him.  Sylvester  seldom  was  seen  at 
his  home,  spending  most  of  his  time  in  the  city. 
Several  months  after  his  wife's  death  Sylvester 
decided  to  rent  his  home  on  the  Hudson  and 
move  his  little  family  to  the  city,  giving  as  an 
excuse  that  it  would  be  more  convenient  to  his 
business  and  more  economical,  principally  the 

latter.     His  love  for  money  grew  on  him  and 
86 


TRAGEDY  AND  DEATH  87 

as  a  consequence  he  became  more  penurious. 
He  had  arranged  to  move  his  family  to  some 
flats  which  he  owned  in  the  city ;  their  quarters 
consisted  of  four  rooms,  two  bedrooms,  a  dining 
room  and  a  kitchen  on  the  second  floor ;  moving 
day  came  and  we  find  them  in  their  new  home, 
far  more  humble  than  the  cosy  retreat  on  the 
Hudson.  The  fuiiiiture  was  of  the  plainest 
kind  and  there  was  nothing  attractive  in  these 
penned  up  quarters.  It  was  arranged  that  the 
son  should  sleep  with  his  father,  although  the 
boy  much  preferred  to  nestle  with  Mrs.  Emer- 
son, who  had  treated  him  with  motherly  kind- 
ness. Sylvester  seldom  had  an  opportunity  to 
talk  with  his  son,  who  was  asleep  on  the  arrival 
of  his  father  in  tlie  evening  and  his  departure 
for  business  in  the  morning.  The  boy  hardly 
knew  that  there  was  such  a  thing  as  a  father, 
although  he  was  in  his  fifth  year. 

About  a  year  after  their  taking  possession  of 
the  so-called  home  an  episode  occurred  which 
made  an  impression  on  the  brain  of  the  son 
which  he  never  forgot.  It  arose  in  the  follow- 
ing manner:  Sylvester  had  been  investing  in 
stocks  for  a  man  by  the  name  of  Robert  Sin- 
clair, who  was  a  nervous  and  eccentric  indi- 
vidual; the  market  had  gone  against  hun  and 
after  putting  up  margin  after  margin  he  suf- 
fered a  loss  of  over  five  thousand  dollars,  which 
left  him  almost  penniless ;  he  attributed  his  loss 


88  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

to  a  violation  of  instnictions  and  oiiarged  Syl- 
vester witli  having  robbed  him ;  this  grew  into 
an  hallucination  and  he  gave  Sylvester  no  rest 
night  or  day;  he  visited  his  office  frequently 
and  demanded  his  money,  and  dogged  him  on 
the  streets  until  his  conduct  became  unbearable 
and  Sylvester  threatened  him  with  arrest;  he 
was  a  large  and  powerful  man  and  Sylvester 
being  of  slight  build  was  fearful  that  he  might 
suffer  bodily  injury  at  the  hands  of  his  enemy. 

On  a  Sunday  evening  about  nine  o'clock 
Sylvester  was  reading  in  his  bedroom  and  his 
son  was  asleep  near  his  side;  Mrs.  Emerson 
was  at  church  and  had  not  returned.  A  knock 
was  heard  at  his  door  and  as  he  arose  and  opened 
it  Sinclair  appeared  and  forced  his  way  in  the 
room ;  Sylvester  saw  at  once  that  he  meant  mis- 
chief ;  he  asked  Sinclair  to  take  a  seat,  but  with 
an  oath  he  refused  and  the  following  words 
were  spoken: 

"  !N^ow you,  I  want  my  money  or  you 

will  not  leave  this  room  alive,"  said  Sinclair,  as 
he  made  a  move  towards  Sylvester,  his  face  livid 
with  rage ;  Sylvester  tried  to  pacify  him  and  in 
a  trembling  voice  tried  to  explain  matters ;  but 
Sinclair  sprang  upon  Sylvester  like  a  tiger, 
brandishing  a  large  knife  in  his  right  hand  and 
pmshed  Sylvester  towards  the  bed;  a  struggle 
took  place  and  at  that  moment  his  son  awoke, 
and  as  the  bent  form  of  his  father  was  lying  on 


TRAGEDY  AND  DEATH 


89 


the  edge  of  the  bed  the  child  put  his   arms 
around  his  father's  neck  to  protect  him  and  Sin- 
clair dealt  several  murderous  blows  at  Sylves- 
ter  with    his   knife;    in   an  instant   Sylvester 
thought  of  his  revolver  which  ^v^s  under  his  pil- 
low, and  reaching  for  it  fired  two  shots  at  Sin- 
clair, who  fell  lifeless  on  tlie  floor.     Everythins 
was  excitement  and  confusion;  the  shots  and 
heart-rending  cries  of  the  child  attracted  the 
occupants  of  the  otlier  flats;  police  were  called 
and  a  patrol  wagon  carried  away  Sylvester  and 
he  dead  body  of  Sinclair  to  the  station.     At 
this  moment  iyrs.  Emerson  came  in,  who,  upon 
hearing  what  had  occurred,  almost  fainted;  she 
took  the  boy  in  her  arms,  who  was  trembling  like 
a  leaf  and  sobbing  and  unable  to  speak  a  word  • 
.she  saw  blood  upon  his  hands  and  upon  close 
examination  found  tliat  tlie  small  finger  of  his 
right  hand  had  been  nearly  severed ;  she  at  once 
sent  for  a  surgeon  and  had  the  wounded  boy 
treated,  and  he  rested  in  the  arms  of  Mrs.  Emer- 
son that  night,   his  sleep  being  disturbed  by 
dreams  and  broken  sobs. 

Sylvester  had  received  several  bad  cuts  in  the 
altray  and  at  once  received  surgical  treatment. 
After  an  investigation  by  the  authorities  on 
the  following  day  he  was  allowed  to  return  to 
his  home. 

After   the   Sinclair   affair  matters   resumed 
their  ordinary  course.     Sylvester's  wounds  pre- 


90  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

vented  him  from  attending  to  business  and  ho 
was  confined  to  his  room  for  several  weeks,  dur- 
ing whicli  time  Mr.  Crosby,  his  partner,  made 
him  several  visits  and  consulted  him  on  busi- 
ness. In  the  assault  made  by  Sinclair,  Sylves- 
ter received  tliree  or  four  bad  cuts,  one  of  which 
in  the  abdomen  caused  him  a  great  deal  of  pain 
and  trouble.  The  boy  was  able  to'  be  about  in 
a  few  days  after  undergoing  an  operation  of 
having  his  finger  amputated  at  the  first  joint. 
He  tried  to  be  playful  and  affectionate  with  his 
father^  but  he  did  not  receive  much  attention  or 
notice  from  him.  Mrs.  Emerson  w-as  kind  and 
patient  and  did  everything  in  her  power  to 
make  her  patients  comfortable. 

Sylvester  became  irritable,  nervous  and  sul- 
len. Mrs.  Emerson  did  everything  she  could 
to  please  him,  but  her  efforts  were  ahnost  fruit- 
less. While  she  was  nursing  and  caring  for  the 
father,  the  boy  amused  himself  as  best  he  could. 
He  was  allowed  the  privilege  of  going  to  the 
livery  stable  kept  by  Mr.  Proctor  just  across  the 
street,  who  had  taken  a  great  fancy  to  the  boy, 
whose  bright  face,  curly  hair  and  winning  ways 
had  made  him  a  favorite  at  the  stable.  The 
men  at  the  stable  would  give  hiiii  rides,  and  seat- 
ed by  the  side  of  the  driver,  the  boy's  face 
shone  with  delight.  It  was  the  only  pleasure 
the  poor  boy  had,  and  as  soon  as  he  was  through 
eating  his  meals  he  made  his  way  to  the  stable. 


TRAGEDY  AND  DEATH  91 

much  to  the  relief  of  Mrs.  Emerson,  who  was 
almost  constantly  occupied  in  waiting  on  Syl- 
vester. At  the  end  of  about  six  weeks  Sylves- 
ter was  able  to  go  to  his  office  for  a  portion 
of  each  day,  but  he  was  still  in  a  weakened  con- 
dition. He  grew  more  irritable  and  suffered 
considerably  from  the  wound  in  his  abdomen. 
The  monotony  of  each  day  was  not  relieved  by 
anything  strange  or  unusual.  Thus  weeks  and 
months  rolled  by. 

One  evening,  the  boy  not  having  made  his 
appearance  at  supper  time,  Mrs.  Emerson  went 
across  the  street  to  the  livery  stable  and  en- 
quired of  Mr.  Proctor  if  he  had  seen  him;  he 
replied  that  he  had  not  seen  him  since  four 
o'clock;  that  at  that  hour  a  man  had  hired  a 
rig  for  an  hour  and  had  asked  the  boy  if  he 
wanted  a  ride;  that  the  boy  said  he  did,  got 
into  the  buggy  and  rode  away  with  the  m?ji ; 
that  the  man  had  not  returned,  but  he  was  look- 
ing for  him  every  moment.  Mrs.  Emerson  re- 
turned to  the  home  and  reported  the  facts  to 
Sylvester.  About  eight  o'clock  Mrs.  Emerson 
1  repeated  her  visit  to  Mr.  Proctor,  but  he  said 
that  the  man  had  not  returned.  She  became 
alarmed.  Sylvester  awoke  from  his  seeming 
lethargy  and  manifested  much  feeling  on  ac- 
count of  the  absence  of  his  son.  Mrs.  Emerson 
repeated  her  visit  early  the^  next  morning  to  the 
livery  stable  keeper,  but  no  word  had  been  heard 


92  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

of  the  man  who  had  hired  the  buggy.  She  re- 
peated her  visits  daily,  but  with  no  result,  and 
unloiown  to  Sylvester  she  put  an  advertisement 
in  the  Tribime  making  inquiries  for  the  lost 
boy,  which  was  continued  for  a  week.  Sylves- 
ter placed  the  matter  in  the  hands  of  detectives. 
Weeks,  then  months  rolled  by,  but  nothing  was 
heard  of  the  absent  one.  The  father  gi^ew  more 
anxious  and  Mrs.  Emerson  was  almost  frantic 
and  she  despaired  of  ever  looking  into  the  face 
of  the  lost  child  whom  she  had  learned  to  love 
as  if  he  were  her  o^vn  flesh  and  blood.  Steps 
were  relaxed  in  the  search  and  all  hope  was  giv- 
en up.  It  was  taken  for  granted  that  the  boy 
had  not  been  kidnapped  for  the  purpose  of  gain 
as  no  letter  or  word  had  been  received  from 
his  captor  for  a  ransom. 

Sylvester  grew  meditative  and  more  miserly ; 
his  passion  for  money-making  increased  mth 
his  years;  it  seemed  his  only  comfort  and  the 
idol  of  his  heart,  which  organ  had  become  dried 
up  and  corroded  with  selfishness  and  greed. 

As  a  ship,  bearing  a  dear  friend  to  a  foreign 
port,  recedes  from  view  in  the  distant  horizon, 
so  he  saw  slipping  from  his  grasp  all  the  dearer 
things  of  life,  wife,  son,  home  and  the  finer 
senses  and  virtues  which  make  up  the  sum  of 
human  happiness.  Reality  stared  him  in  the 
face  followed  by  a  twinge  of  remorse  which 
was  a  hopeful  sign,  but  it  came  too  late.     He 


TRAGEDY  AND  DEATH  93 

lived  like  a  recluse,  having  little  communicatioii 
with  Mrs.  Emerson,  except  as  necessity  required. 

He  attended  to  business  and  was  found  daily 
at  his  office,  but  his  partner  and  clerks  noticed 
a  change  in  his  conduct  and  physical  appear- 
ance. He  seemed  to  be  suffering  from  some 
internal  trouble,  which  clearly  appeared  from 
his  actions  and  movements  and  left  its  mark  on 
his  face. 

Mr.  Crosby,  his  partner,  to  whom  he  made 
known  his  physical  troubles,  advised  Sylvester 
to  consult  Dr.  Ilurlbut,  which  he  agreed  to  do. 
Dr.  Hurlbut  after  a  thorough  examination  and 
consultation  with  an  associate,  was  of  the  opin- 
ion that  his  patient  was  suffering  from  a  can- 
cerous growth  in  the  stomach,  and  that  heroic 
treatment  was  necessary  and  advised  his  patient 
to  drop  his  business  for  the  present  and  take 
a  much  needed  rest.  His  physician  also  ad- 
vised him  to  procure  quiet  quarters  on  the 
Hudson,  away  from  the  noise  and  bustle  of  the 
city,  which  he  did,  securing  two  rooms  in  the 
house  formerly  occupied  by  himself  and  family 
and  in  which  his  wife  died.  His  faithful  house- 
keeper accompanied  him. 

In  this,  his  last  earthly  home,  life  was  any- 
thing but  pleasant  to  Sylvester.  He  spent  his 
time  during  the  day  in  walking  around  the 
grounds  in  deep  thought,  uncommunicative  and 
silent;  at  night  he  was  restless  and  uneasy  as 


94  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

the  memory  of  tlie  past  arose  before  liim ;  and 
the  fact,  by  strange  coincidence,  tliat  he  slept 
in  the  same  room  in  which  his  wife  had  died, 
did  not  tend  to  bring  peace  to  his  disturbed 
mind,  and  Mrs.  Emerson  would  frequently  hear 
him  pacing  up  and  down  his  room.  Mr.  Cros- 
by, his  partner,  made  him  occasional  visits  and 
detected  a  radical  change  in  his  bodily  appear- 
ance which  was  em.aciated  and  frail.  On  one  of 
these  visits  his  partner  asked  him  if  he  had. 
any  personal  affairs  which  he  would  like  liim  to 
look  after  and  he  replied  by  asking  his  partner 
to  have  his  lawyer,  Mr.  Winslow,  call  and  see 
him. 

Mr.  Winslow  called  and  Sylvester  stated  that 
his  object  in  sending  for  him  was  that  he  wished 
to  make  his  will  and  desired  that  both  his  real 
and  personal  property  should  go  to  his  lost  son, 
and  furnished  him  an  inventory  of  his  estate. 
He  further  stated  that  in  case  of  his  death  no 
expense  should  be  saved  in  the  search  for  his 
lost  boy.  He  described  his  son  fully  as  when 
he  last  saw  him,  and  particularly  mentioned  the 
amputated  finger  and  the  circumstance  which 
led  to  it.  Mr.  Winslow  assured  him  that  no 
pains  would  be  spared  in  the  discovery  of  his 
son  and  subsequently  prepared  the  will.  He 
afterwards  executed  a  codicil  to  his  will  making 
suitable  provision  for  Mrs.  Emerson. 

Time  brought  no  relief  to  the  invalid  and  he 


TRAGEDY  AND  DEATH  95 

gradually  failed  and  was  compelled  to  keep  his 
bed.  Medical  skill  could  not  stay  the  terrible 
disease  which  was  fast  destroying  his  life.  He 
was  unable  to  eat  solid  food,  and  the  most  deli- 
cate nourishment  was  prepared  for  him.  He 
would  talk  constantly  to  Mrs.  Emerson,  while 
sitting  at  his  bedside,  about  his  wife  and  lost 
boy,  sometimes  incoherently  and  not  above  a 
whisper,  while  the  tears  trickled  down  his 
cheeks. 

At  last  the  end  came.  Alone  in  his  chamber 
the  angel  of  death  called  him  and  a  soul  which 
did  not  understand  or  appreciate  life,  a  gift 
from  God,  passed  to  the  great  beyond. 

He  was  buried  by  the  side  of  his  wife  and 
Lottie  in  tlie  cemetery  which  overlooks  the  beau- 
tiful Hudson. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

THE    SEARCH,    DISCOVERY    AND    DENOUEMENT. 

After  the  death  of  Sylvester,  Mr.  Winslow, 
the  lawyer,  commenced  a  diligent  search  for  the 
lost  heir  of  the  vast  estate.  He  used  every 
means  in  his  power  through  detective  agencies 
and  advertising  regardless  of  expense.  He  was 
flooded  with  letters  and  claimants,  who  were  in 
his  opinion  not  genuine,  daily  presented  tliem- 
selves  at  his  office  seeking  the  coveted  prize. 

He  had  about  given  up  in  despair,  after  a 
long  time  had  elapsed,  when  his  eye  fell  upon  an 
old  article  in  the  Xew  York  Herald  giving  a 
thrilling  account  of  the  bravery  and  heroism 
of  a  young  sergeant  in  the  Philippines  who  bore 
the  same  name  as  the  heir  he  was  in  quest  of; 
the  name  was  a  common  one  but  he  thought  he 
would  make  one  more  effort  in  effecting  a  dis- 
covery. He  cabled  to  Manila  to  the  command- 
ing officer  and  received  a  reply  that  the  person 
inquired  for  had  returned  to  the  states  and  was 
no  doubt  at  his  home  in  Pittsburg.  Mr.  Wins- 
low  in  examining  some  old  papers  noticed  the 
promotion  by  the  President  of  a  person  by  the 
96 


DISCOVERY  AND  DENOUEMENT  97 

same  name.  Mr.  Winslow's  curiosity  knew  no 
bounds.  He  traced  the  party  to  Pittsburg,  to 
which  city  Mr.  Winslow  hurried  on  the  first 
train.  On  his  arrival  he  went  immediately  to 
the  Duquesne  hotel  where  he  had  learned  that 
military  men  made  their  headquarters  and  se- 
cured a  room.  He  inquired  of  the  clerk  if  Cap- 
tain Richard  Johnson  stopped  there  or  if  he 
knew  where  he  might  be  foimd.  Ah !  Reader  I 
could  not  stay  your  curiosity  any  longer,  al- 
though I  have  no  doubt  you  anticipated  the  ob- 
ject of  our  search.  The  gentlemanly  clerk  stated 
that  the  gentleman  for  whom  inquiry  had  been, 
made  was  not  a  guest  of  the  hotel  but  came  there 
frequently.  Mr.  Winslow  requested  the  clerk 
to  let  him  know  when  he  came  in  and  took  a, 
seat  and  began  reading  his  paper. 

In  about  fifteen  minutes  the  clerk  approached 
Mr.  Winslow  and  said  that  Captain  Johnson 
had  arrived  and  was  standing  at  the  cigar  stand. 
Mr.  Winslow  thanked  the  clerk  and  inwardly 
nervous  moved  towards  the  Captain  and  in  a 
gracious  manner  introduced  himself  and  ex- 
tended his  hands  which  the  Captain  warmly 
grasped.  Mr.  Winslow  held  the  hand  for  a  mo- 
ment and  a  thrill  went  through  his  system  as  he 
touched  the  amputated  little  finger  of  the  Cap- 
tain's hand.  He  asked  the  Captain  if  he  could 
see  him  in  his  room  on  some  important  business 


98  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

oi  a  private  nature,  to  which  the  Captain  read- 
ily assented. 

When  they  were  closeted  together,  Mr.  Wins- 
low,  laAvyer-like,  did  not  make  known  the  object 
of  his  errand,  but  assuring  the  Captain  of  his 
good  faith  and  in  the  Captain's  interest,  drew 
out  his  personal  history.  The  Captain  showed 
that  he  was  possessed  of  a  wonderful  memory ; 
he  had  only  a  faint  recollection  of  his  mother; 
he  remembered  his  fatlier's  christian  name, 
Mrs.  Emerson,  Mr.  Proctor  the  liveryman,  the 
Sinclair  affair,  the  recital  of  which  showed  that 
it  had  made  an  indelible  impression  on  the  tab- 
let of  his  memory;  he  recalled  other  incidents 
in  his  child-life.  Mr.  Winslow  was  satisfied  in 
his  own  mind  that  he  had  at  last  discovered  the 
rightful  heir  to  the  Johnson  estate  and  before 
parting  divulged  the  object  of  his  mission  and 
the  death  of  the  Captain's  father,  at  the  men- 
tion of  which  the  son  was  visibly  affected. 

To  make  assurance  doubly  sure  Mr.  Winslow 
requested  the  Captain  to  make  a  trip  to  jN^ew 
York  City  at  his  earliest  convenience  which  he 
promised  to  do  in  a  few  days.  After  thanking 
Mr.  Winslow  for  the  interest  he  had  taken  in 
his  behalf  the  Captain  withdrew,  not,  however, 
until  Mr.  Winslow  had  enjoined  upon  the  Cap- 
tain strict  confidence  as  to  what  had  taken  place 
between  them. 

A  new  world  opened  before  Captain  Johnson. 


DISCOVERY  AND  DENOUEMENT  gg 

Visions  of  happiness  swam  before  his  eyes. 
From  poverty  he  had  risen  to  wealth.  He  was 
anxious  to  break  the  news  to  those  who  were 
nearest  and  dearest  to  him;  but  he  had  prom- 
ised Mr.  Winslow  not  to  divulge  what  he  knew. 
In  a  few  days,  giving  an  excuse  to  his  friends 
that  he  was  going  to  be  absent  on  business,  he 
hurried  to  New  York  to  meet  Mr.  Winslow  as 
agreed. 

On  his  arrival  he  went  at  once  to  the  office  of 
the  lawyer  where  he  was  cordially  welcomed; 
he  was  invited  to  call  the  next  day  at  two  in 
the  afternoon;  at  the  appointed  hour  he  kept 
his  engagement  and  was  ushered  into  a  private 
room  of  the  attorney  where  he  found  a  lady 
busily  reading  a  paper;  Mr.  Winslow  entered 
and  addressing  the  Captain  and  the  lady  asked 
"  if  they  were  not  acquainted  "  ;  neither  of  them 
answered,  but  looked  sharply  at  each  other ;  he 
then  said,  ''  Mrs.  Emerson,  allow  me  to  intro- 
duce to  you  Captain  Eichard  Johnson."  Sud- 
denly, as  if  by  intuition,  Mrs.  Emerson  grasped 
the  Captain's  hand  warmly,  then  embraced  him 
and  said,  "  Why,  Eichard,  now  I  know  you.  If 
you  wasn't  so  big  I'd  kiss  you,"  and  her  eyes 
filled  with  tears.  The  Captain  said  he  should 
never  forget  her  and  her  goodness  to  him  when  a 
boy,  but  he  would  hardly  recognize  her  if  he 
should  meet  her  on  the  street.  Mr.  Winslow  left 
them  alone  and  after  a  pleasant  visit  talking 


100  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

over  old  times  they  separated.  Mr.  Winslow 
was  now  convinced  that  he  had  found  the  right- 
ful heir  and  took  no  further  steps  in  that  direc- 
tion. Proof  of  heirship  was  established  in  Court 
and  the  Captain  became  possessed  of  his  inherit- 
ance. He  returned  to  Pittsburg  in  a  few  days 
and  made  haste  to  break  the  news  to  Lucille. 
She  congratulated  him  on  his  good  fortune  and 
shared  his  joy.  The  welcome  news  was  told  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fletcher  who  were  also  lavish  in 
their  congratulations.  The  coming  marriage 
was  looked  fonvard  to  with  happy  anticijDations 
and  pleasure.  Arrangements  were  made  for  the 
wedding  to  take  place  during  the  coming  holiday 
week  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fletcher  spared  no  pains 
or  expense  in  the  preparation  for  the  event.  The 
time  was  chosen  to  please  Captain  Johnson  as 
he  wished  for  the  presence  of  Stephen  Whipple 
to  act  as  his  "  best  man  "  and  who  would  return 
to  Pittsburg  during  the  holiday  season. 

As  the  wedding  day  approached  the  Fletcher 
mansion  was  all  astir.  Invitations  were  sent 
near  and  far;  flowers  and  music  were  arranged 
for ;  a  !N"ew  York  caterer  was  to  superintend  and 
provide  a  sumptuous  repast  and  everything  done 
to  make  the  affair  a  complete  success. 

On  the  day  of  the  wedding  all  was  excite- 
ment ;  messengers  were  hurrying  to  and  fro ;  at 
twelve  o'clock,  the  hour  set  for  the  ceremony, 
carriages  were  rolling  towards  the  Fletcher  man- 


DISCOVERY  AND  DENOUEMENT         loi 

sion  which  was  brilliantly  lighted.  The  spacious 
parlors  and  rooms  were  filled  with  smiling  and 
happy  faces  and  strains  of  beautiful  music  filled 
the  home  with  harmonious  delight.  The  scene 
was  dazzling  and  rapturous. 

At  a  given  signal  the  bridal  party  entered  the 
parlor  where  the  ceremony  was  to  take  place 
under  the  inspiring  music  of  '^  Lohengrin  " ;  all 
eyes  were  centered  on  the  intended  bride  and 
bridegroom  and  their  lovely  appearance  drew 
out  expressions  of  praise  and  admiration  from 
the  friends  and  guests  ;  the  noble  face  and  manly 
form  of  Stephen  Whipple  as  "  best  man  "  came 
in  for  a  full  share  of  adulation. 

The  marriage  ceremony  was  in  accordance 
with  the  Episcopal  service  and  after  Eichard 
Johnson  and  Lucille  Fletcher  were  pronounced 
man  and  wife  congratulations  and  blessings  fol- 
lowed in  quick  succession. 

A  rich  and  sumptuous  banquet  followed,  and 
joy  and  happiness  held  sway  past  the  midnight 
hour  and  "  all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell.'' 
Costly  presents  were  given,  among  them  a  dia- 
mond necklace  from  "  Richard  to  Lucille." 

The  happy  pair  departed  on  the  following 
day  on  their  honeymoon  trip,  visiting  the  south 
and  other  points  of  interest.  On  their  return 
home,  after  the  lapse  of  two  months,  they  were 
met  with  a  royal  welcome.  Eichard  Johnson 
subsequently  became  the  junior  member  of  the 


102  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

firm  of  rietclier  &  Co.,  Stock-Brokers,  with  of- 
fices in  Kew  York  and  Pittsburg. 

After  the  wedding  Mr.  Whipple  was  busily 
occupied  with  professional  and  political  matters 
in  which  he  was  interested  and  was  seldom  seen 
upon  the  street.  He  was  compelled  to  return  to 
his  post  of  duty  in  Congress  in  a  few  weeks.  He 
seldom  went  into  society  and  made  few  calls. 
But  he  was  a  constant  visitor  at  the  home  of 
the  Armstrongs  where  his  heart's  idol  drew  him. 
It  was  generally  known  that  he  was  betrothed 
to  Amelia  and  that  it  would  be  but  a  short  time 
before  their  marriage  would  take  place.  Society 
mongers  discussed  the  matter  freely  and  went  so 
far  as  to  criticize  the  Congi'essman  for  taking 
as  his  companion  one  who  was  socially  beneath 
him. 

It  was  finally  decided  by  the  parties  most  in- 
terested that  the  marriage  should  take  place  be- 
fore Mr.  Whipple's  departure  for  Washington. 

Very  few  invitations  were  sent  out  announc- 
ing the  event,  which  was  to  be  celebrated  at  the 
Church  of  the  Rev.  Patterson  on  the  evening  of 
January  15th,  and  it  was  understood  to  be  a 
public  affair.  The  place  and  minister  were 
chosen  at  the  request  of  Amelia,  as  that  was  her 
place  of  worship;  the  minister  being  the  same 
person  who  had  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of 
her  sister  Lucy. 

On  the  evening  of  the  wedding,  at  the  ap- 


DISCOVERY  AND  DENOUEMENT        103 

pointed  hour,  the  Church  was  packed  with  the 
friends  of  the  parties,  particularly  with  those  of 
Mr.  Whipple,  consisting  largely  of  respectable 
workingmen  and  their  wives,  who  looked  upon 
him  as  their  friend  and  co-worker. 

As  the  organ  pealed  forth  its  harmonious 
waves  of  appropriate  music,  Amelia,  the  child  of 
the  people,  and  Mr.  Whipple,  the  advocate  and 
friend  of  the  people,  appeared,  accompanied  by 
the  parents  of  the  soon-to-be  wife. 

The  ceremony  was  simple  and  impressive  and 
Stephen  Whipple  and  Amelia  Armstrong  were 
made  man  and  wife. 

Congratulations  followed  and  many  a  "  God 
bless  you  "  came  from  the  hearts  of  the  friends 
and  toiling  workmen  and  their  wives. 

Our  young  couple  repaired  to  the  home  of 
Amelia,  where  a  simple  feast  was  spread  and 
joy  and  gladness  filled  the  hearts  of  those  pres- 
ent, added  to  which  were  beautiful  presents  from 
Eichard  and  Lucille ;  and  at  eleven  o'clock  that 
night  the  newly  made  pair  took  the  train  for 
Washington,  followed  with  the  love  and  good 
wishes  of  those  who  were  near  and  dear  to  them. 

After  the  return  of  Captain  and  Mrs.  John- 
son from  their  bridal  trip  they  remained  but  a 
short  time  in  Pittsburg ;  the  Captain's  interests 
required  him  to  go  to  l^ew  York.  It  was  ar- 
ranged between  Mr.  Fletcher  and  himself  that 
he,  the  Captain,  should  manage  the  ^ew  York 


104  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

branch  of  the  business  of  Fletcher  &  Co.  Thither 
our  joung  couple  went,  and  in  a  few  weeks  pur- 
chased a  beautiful  home  on  one  of  the  aristo- 
cratic avenues,  and  secured  the  faithful  Mrs. 
Emerson  as  housekeeper. 

The  estate  left  by  his  father  consisted  of 
money,  stocks,  bonds  and  real  estate  and  occu- 
pied a  great  deal  of  the  Captain's  time  in  its 
management.  lie  showed  wisdom  and  judg- 
ment in  the  use  of  the  wealth  which  he  had  in- 
herited. He  had  decided,  witli  the  concuiTence 
of  Lucille,  whom  he  idolized,  that  their  lives 
would  be  much  happier  if  they  devoted  a  portion 
of  their  money  to  the  amelioration  and  the  up- 
lifting of  humanity  and  tJie  alleviation  of  the 
poor  and  distressed.  To  that  end  his  wife  was 
selected  to  manage  that  branch  of  the  business, 
and  orphan's  homes,  hospitals,  asylums  and  the 
suffering  poor  are  living  testimonials  of  the 
generosity  and  beneficence  of  Captain  Johnson 
and  his  angel  wife.  And  Stephen  Whipple  was 
no  less  happy  in  his  life-work  for  the  toiling 
workmen  and  the  love  and  affection  which  his 
dear  Amelia  bore  him,  and  who  took  a  deep  in- 
terest in  his  work. 


COI^CLUSIOK 

I  have  attempted  in  the  preceding  pages  to 
narrate  in  a  simple  manner  the  present  indus- 
trial troubles  and  discover,  if  possible,  a  rem- 
edy for  the  amelioration  of  the  condition  of  the 
working  classes.  If  I  have  succeeded,  in  the 
smallest  way,  in  awakening  the  thought  of  my 
readers  on  so  momentous  a  problem  my  task  has 
not  been  in  vain.  Their  duty  begins,  mine,  for 
the  present,  ends. 

The  interposition  of  the  government  in  the 
case  of  trusts  and  the  concentration  of  capital 
affords  but  temporary  relief  and  acts  as  a  pal- 
liative. 1^0  legislation,  regulation  or  arbitra- 
tion will  solve  the  difficulty;  those  means  have 
been  agitated  and  tried,  but  without  success,  and 
must  continue  to  fail  so  long  as  human  nature 
is  as  it  is.  Porce  cannot  accomplish  anvthing 
towards  lessening  the  trouble;  it  only  reacts  on 
those  who  attempt  to  use  it 

You  ask  me  what  would  I  suggest  as  a  proper 
solution.  I  almost  tremble  with  fear  to  make 
answer.  I  may  be  called  a  crank,  fanatic  or 
charged  with  a  delusion.  But,  my  readers,  I 
am  sincere  in  what  I  say  and  wi^ite  on  this  per- 

105 


io6  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

plexing  question,  and  time  and  space  will  not 
permit  me  to  fully  enter  into  a  lengthy  discus- 
sion. I  am  satisfied  in  making  a  few  sugges- 
tions which  can  be  analyzed  and  weighed  by 
those  who  care  to  do  so. 

My  first  proposition  is  that  the  moral  princi- 
ple innate  in  every  human  being  and  which  lies 
at  the  foundation  of  every  great  reform,  and 
which  has  produced  happiness  and  benefits  to 
mankind,  must  be  invoked  as  the  only  paaiacea 
in  our  present  discontent  and  difficulty.  The 
heart  of  the  capitalist  and  employer  needs  re- 
generation and  spiritual  doctoring  in  order  to 
obtain  an  effective  cure  for  the  evils  complained 
of.  I  do  not  mean  by  that  a  belief  in  any  creed, 
dogma  or  sect,  but  a  religion  which  has  faith  in 
a  Universal  God  of  Wisdom,  Justice,  Mercy 
and  Love ;  a  religion  as  high  as  the  heavens  and 
as  broad  as  the  earth;  a  religion  w^hich  teaches 
that  man  is  a  spirit  and  immortalizes  the  soul ; 
a  religion  which  exemplifies  Christ  in  the  em- 
ployer in  his  relations  with  his  fellow  men. 
The  employee  should  have  the  same  faith  and 
be  prompted  by  the  same  spirit  in  dealing  with 
his  employer. 

There  is  a  Universal  law  which  embodies  all 
the  attributes  of  a  Universal  God  and  which 
emanates  from  the  Source  of  all  good.  An 
obedience  to  this  universal  law  is  the  only  true 
Toad  to  happiness ;  it  can  be  obtained  in  no  other 


CONCLUSION  107 

way.  The  accumulation  of  wealth  alone  cannot 
bring  happiness ;  it  must  be  tempered  and  soft- 
ened with  the  graces  and  virtues  of  mercy,  love 
and  justice,  and  a  kindly  regard  for  those  with 
whom  we  are  brought  in  contact. 

We  hear  it  said  ^^  that  humanity  and  business 
don't  fit."  Well,  any  business  which  totally 
disregards  and  ignores  the  humanitarian  idea  is 
cruel  and  inhuman  and  must  surely  come  to 
grief  and  bring  disaster  and  retribution  on  the 
head  of  its  owner.  Business  and  humanity 
must  fit  if  the  universal  law  which  I  have  men- 
tioned is  obeyed. 

My  next  proposition  is  that  the  human  mind 
must  be  enlightened  and  illumined.  The  pov- 
erty-strickened  host  must  be  lifted  out  of  its 
present  condition  of  ignorance  and  stunted 
growtli  into  a  higher  plane  of  knowledge.  This 
can  only  be  accomplished  through  education. 
Their  condition  at  present  make  the  masses  an 
easy  prey  to  the  lust  and  greed  of  the  capitalist 
and  employer.  The  latter  has  wealth  and  learn- 
ing arrayed  against  poverty  and  ignorance. 
Until  the  masses  equip  themselves  by  education 
their  contest  is  a  hopeless  one,  and  the  balance 
of  power  is  against  them. 

The  civilizing  influences  reached  by  education 
cannot  be  brought  about  by  richly  endowed  uni- 
versities or  a  ten  million  dollar  seat  of  learning 
in  charge  of  the  government  where  none  but  the 


io8  THE  NEW  REPUBLIC 

rich  men's  sons  can  receive  the  benefit,  and 
equipped  with  a  fund  and  with  money  which  has 
been  hoarded  by  the  capitalist  out  of  the  tears, 
sweat  and  blood  of  the  w^orkingmen.  The  pres- 
ent public  school  system  furnishes  ample  oppor- 
tunity for  the  masses,  at  least  for  the  younger 
generation,  to  equip  them,  in  the  direction  in 
which  I  have  mentioned  for  the  battle  of  life. 

It  may  be  said  that  my  ideas  are  chimerical, 
fanciful  and  impracticable.  But  so  surely  as 
God  is  God  and  Eight  is  Right,  the  solution  I 
have  mentioned  is  the  only  and  sure  one  and 
will  meet  with  the  approval  of  God  and  man. 
It  is  in  line  with  evolution,  which  is  making 
such  rapid  strides  in.  the  material  and  spiritual 
world. 

As  this  ]*Tation,  beloved  of  God,  and  the  leader 
in  civilization  and  commercial  importance,  has 
led  the  advance  in  other  directions,  may  we  not 
hope  that  as  the  dawn  of  a  new  century  opens, 
it  may  take  the  initiative,  and  under  divine 
gTiidance  lead  her  people  into  a  higher  and 
holier  path  which  shall  redound  to  the  happiness 
of  the  whole  and  establish  the  safety  of  a  ]^ew 
Republic.  Then  the  social  dreams  of  Plato, 
More,  Bellamy,  George  and  Tolstoi  would  be 
realized,  and  there  Avould  arise  a  "  City  of 
Light  "  magnificent  in  her  splendor  and  beauty, 
founded  on  Justice  and  Love,  and  blessed  with 
the  smile  of  heaven  and  the  benediction  and 


CONCLUSION  109 

praise  of  men.     As  Felix  Adler  beautifully  ex- 
presses it : 

"  Have  you  heard  the  golden  city 
Mentioned  in  the  legends  old? 
Everlasting  light  shines  o'er  it, 
Wondrous  tales  of  it  are  told. 

"  Only  righteous  men  and  women 
Dwell  within  its  gleaming  wall, 
Wrong  is  banished  from  its  borders, 
Justice  reigns  supreme  o'er  all. 

"  We  are  builders  of  that  city, 

All  our  joys  and  all  our  groans 

Help  to  rear  its  shining  ramparts, 

All  our  lives  are  building  stones. 

"  But  the  work  that  we  have  builded, 
Oft  with  bleeding  hands  and  tears, 
And  in  error  and  in  anguish, 
Will  not  perish  with  the  years. 

"  It  will  be,  at  last,  made  perfect, 
In  the  universal  plan, 
It  will  help  to  crown  the  labors 
Of  the  toiling  hosts  of  man. 

"  It  will  last  and  shine  transfigured 
In  the  final  reign  of  right, 
It  will  merge  into  the  splendors 
Of  the  City  of  the  Light." 

THE  END. 


